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ANTING US: 



A TRAGEDY 



BY K 

ABBIE CARTER GOODLOE, 



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PHILADELPHIA : 

PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 
I 89 I. 






Copyright, 1 891, by Abbie Carter Goodloe. 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



Antinous, a Bithynian youth and Hadrian's favorite. 

Hadrian, Emperor of Rome. 

Verus, Hadrian's adopted son. 

Hermit. 

Balbus, 

Tatian, 

Turbo, 

Celsus, ]■ Romans. 

RUFINUS, 

L^NAS, 

Favorinus, 

JULIANUS, 1 

V. > Jurisconsults. 

Priscus, J -^ 

Salvius, 

Julius, 

M^NAS, 

Metellus, 

Lucius, 

Amenphos, High-Priest of Temple at Besa. 

Thoros, Priest of Temple at Besa. 

Egyptian. 

Astronomer. 

Sabina, wife of Hadrian. 

Marcia, -x 

Phryne, V waiting-women to Sabina. 

Chrysis, J 

Winds, attendants on Verus. 



soldiers of guard. 



PREFACE. 



In this drama no attempt at historical accuracy has 
been made, with the exception of the portrayal, such 
as it is, of the character of Hadrian. And even that 
has been but very indifferently done ; not only de- 
fective because of the literary difficulties of such an 
effort, but because primarily it is not very easy to 
discover what Hadrian's character really was. His 
nature seems to have been composed of the most con- 
tradictory qualities. Crevier says of him, ** Hadrian 
had great vices, an inordinate desire to be first in 
everything, and consequently a malignant envy of 
the merit of others ; he was restless, capricious, and 
ungrateful. He has even been accused of a leaning 
towards cruelty. But as he was a sagacious prince, 
he appreciated how his vices, if he did not control 
them, would tell against him, and vanity (for he was 
very vain) impelled him to affect virtue, at least 
externally." His good qualities, and he had many, 
seemed always to be counterbalanced by opposing 
vices. Although learned, he was superstitious ; lov- 
ing by nature, he was suspicious by habit; large- 

5 



6 PREFACE. 

hearted, he could be cruel and unforgiving on oc- 
casion ; simple and quiet in dress and manners, he 
was vain and ostentatious regarding his achieve- 
ments ; and though generous in appearance, he was 
most essentially selfish. 

Most of these traits of Hadrian's character are 
developed in his relations with Antinoiis, a Bithyn- 
ian youth whom he took from his home and carried 
to Rome with him, and though professing to love the 
boy, was quite regardless of the grief such a separa- 
tion from his home and friends would cause him. 

I have taken the liberty of making Antinoiis's 
character what I pleased. So little is known of him 
as to render any accurate portrait of him impossible, 
and the few accounts which we do have are so evi- 
dently incompatible that, after all, perhaps it is not so 
much a liberty that I take, as a necessity of the case. 
Not only are the facts of his life quite obscure, but 
even his death, the cause and manner of it, are not 
certainly known and are differently described by 
different historians. All the evidence there is, how- 
ever, points to the supposition that Antinoiis made 
the sacrifice of his life for his patron, Hadrian, by 
drowning himself in the Nile. That Hadrian was 
partly responsible for this is probable. His religious 
superstitions possibly suggested the sacrifice of a 
young life as a means of prolonging his own, then 
in a very precarious state. If so, he suffered for his 
sin, for, says Crevier, " Hadrian thus sacrificed his 
idol, and, that no sort of contradiction might be lack- 



PREFACE. 7 

ing to his character, he wept like a woman for the 
one he had so sacrificed." 

The innumerable statues, etc., Hadrian had raised 
to the memory of his favorite show us the perfect 
and rare beauty of the Bithynian slave. A pensive, 
thoughtful, exquisite face is that of Antinoiis. A 
head more beautiful could not be imagined than that 
of Antinoiis to be seen at the Louvre in the " salle 
des Empereurs." The forehead broad and low, over 
which fall heavy rings of hair ; straight brows, be- 
neath which are the deep-set, thoughful eyes, the 
straight, delicate nose, and beautifully-curved mouth 
and chin, form a countenance of singular and pro- 
verbial beauty, — " il est reste le type de la beaute 
parfaite." There is a look of mystery, questioning, 
and loneliness in the face which attracts and holds 
the attention in a marvellous way. 

Hadrian was undoubtedly much fascinated by the 
youth's beauty, and during his brief life adored him 
in his selfish way ; and, overwhelmed with grief at the 
irrevocable loss of his beloved slave, tried to make 
immortal the one whom, living, he did not save. 

A. C. G. 

Tours, France, September 29, 1890. 



ANTINOUS. 



ACT I. 
SCENE I. 



Chamber in Hadrian's palace. Hadrian seated, while 
Tatian, Balbus, Turbo, etc., stand near. 

Hadrian. 

Yes, yes ; 'tis as thou say'st, Laenas ! This world, 

This perishable earth, this atom in 

The vast, unfathomed empyrean, 

Is a fit place whereon to pass our short 

And shadowed lives, which are one day, and on 

The next have slipped beyond the ken or care 

Of all save of the gods who live alway. 

I am to-day — to-morrow Hadrian dies ! 

The gods have willed it so ; then let it be. 

Celsus. 

My lord, philosopher and scholar spake 
In that. The body dies, 'tis true, but yet 



10 ANTING Us. [ACT I. 

The mind — the universal mind — lives on 

And holds its memory dear but as't recalls 

The name and fame of Emperor Hadrian. 

The E^nperor never dies. Thus shalt thou live. 

The awful majesty of state thou wear'st, 

That sets so richly off thy noble parts, 

Shall frighten back Oblivion's still approach, 

And drive her headlong to the shades from whence 

She, fearful, came. While Rome shall live, Hadrian 

The Emperor, too, shall live ; and if in time 

The gods should jealous grow of his great name, 

And think, by crushing Rome, to still his fame, 

All other lands in all the earth will raise 

That name and fame so high that the great Jove 

Will feel abashed and sigh to think himself 

Outshone ! 

Hadrian. 

Peace, Celsus ! Thy smooth tongue outruns 
Thy true conceit. I would not vie the gods 
In honor. It-would be dire blasphemy. 
And I should be accursed. But my mind 
Recoils with horror from the time when I 
Shall be forgot, and I do fear the day 
Is not far hence when the great gods shall send 
Their dreaded messenger to knock at my 
Slow-beating heart and seek an entrance there. 

Balbus. 
I do beseech your Majesty to name 
Not that feared servant of the mighty gods,' 



SCENE I.] ANTING Vs. 1 1 

Lest she, but hearing her name spoke, should come 
On noiseless wing and seek with subtle force 
To know why thou didst call on her. And yet, 
My lord, thou canst not fear a summons hence. 
Should thy beloved voice grow still, the works 
Which thou hast wrought^ in many lands, the walls 
Which thou hast reared, the gorgeous palaces, 
The marble baths, the great stone roads that all 
Lead to imperial Rome, bear witness to 
A love which none but the great gods and thou 
Hast ever shown to Rome and Rome's proud sons. 
When in the years to come the world shall know 
But one of thy great deeds, — say that one when 
Thou swam'st the Danube with thy armor on 
And clambered up the bank on Dacian ground 
To fight, as man to man, barbaric foes, — 
Think'st thou, my lord, thy fame can e'er know Death ? 

Hadrian. 
Another flatterer, Balbus, found in thee ? 
Why, what is this ? That silvery tongue of thine 
Should cause thee bear another name. It is, 
I fear, the trained slave of thy deep brain. 
And not the heart's true-speaking messenger. 

LiENAS. 

My Emperor, if thou seest fit to chide 
Celsus and Balbus for their speech of thee, 
I too need thy rebuke, for I could swear 



12 ANTING Us. [ACT I. 

To all they said and add still more to praise 
Thy gracious self. 

Tatian and Rufinus. 

And I, and I, my lord. 

Hadrian. 

If I could but believe thy flattering words, 
My soul would know a respite from the fears 
That daily make their habitation there, 
And, like unwelcome guests, stay and stay on 
Until their wearied host bids them depart. 

Tatian. 

Then, good my lord, I pray thee bid them go, 
And ne'er again let Hadrian's tortured soul 
Be troubled by their advent. Close the doors 
'Gainst such cold friends, and open wide unto 
The just and noble praises of proud Rome. 
Believe me, then, my lord, imperial Rome, 
Who owes so much to thee and thy great care, 
Would fall ashamed of her ingratitude 
Did she allow the hand of Time strike from 
That towering column to thy fame one word, 
One letter that is thereon writ ! Think'st thou 
The goddess Venus, to whom thou hast given 
But yesterday a glorious fane, will let 
The giver be forgot ? 

Enough ! my lord. 
Why talk we thus ? The day that thou shalt see 



SCENE I.] ANTING Us. 13 

The gods is distant yet, — unborn amid 

The years to c^me of thy long, prosp'rous reign. 

Hadrian. 
Thanks, Tatian, for thy auguries of years 
In which to live for Rome. Of late I too 
Perceive a change in me which bids me hope 
For strength and health. 

Turbo. 

And yet, my lord, if such 
Good auguries should fail, believe me that 
Your death all Rome — Rome ! nay, the world would 

mourn. 
And 

Hadrian. 
What is that thou say'st ? 



Turbo. 

My lord, your death- 



Hadrian. 

Thine own, methinks, would not be much amiss ! 
Another word of " death," and thou shalt know 
That mystery thyself ! 

Looking around. 
Does any other 
Wish still to speak of death ? 



14 ANTING Us. [ACT I. 



Turbo, confused. 

'Tis not your death, 



My lord- 



Hadrian. 

Am I to hear such words again ? 
Enough ! The courtier's mood does not suit me 
To-day. Farewell. The morn turns noon, and I 
Would walk with young Antinoiis. 

All. 

Farewell. 
Exit Hadrian. 
Balbus. 

Turbo, thou art an excellent courtier ! 

Turbo. 
My friends, the Emperor grows most irritable ! 

Celsus. 
And so / must not play the courtier ! 
The times have changed and Hadrian with them too. 
What think you, friends ? Is't that Bithynian snake 
Who subtly coils round Hadrian's heart and drives 
Out all his love for his old, trusted friends ? 
By Jove ! Antinoiis must go before 
Our Emperor loveth him too much. Methinks 
'Tis only fear and shame of what all Rome 
Will say of it, prevent him taking back 
The promise made to Verus. Sickly fool ! 
Ye gods ! What will Rome do ? I speak the truth : 



SCENE II.] ANTING OS. 15 

When Rome shall bow to that weak youth, she will 
With fulsome praises sing great Hadrian's fame 
And pray the gods to give him back again ! 

Tatian. 

Beware, my Celsus, how thou speak'st such thoughts. 
Our Emperor loves thee not, and may watch thee 
And all thou dost with more than lynx-like eyes. 
Farewell, my friends. 

Fronto awaits me now 
At my north villa. 

Fare ye well. 

All. 

Farewell. 
Exeunt omnes. 

SCENE II. 

Room in Sabina's part of the palace. The Empress 
seated^ with attendants fiear. Chrysis has just 
finished singing. 

Sabina. 

Enough, fair Chrysis. Thy sweet notes have fall'n 
This sometime on an inattentive ear. 
To-day I would have Music's handmaid, — Speech. 
Methinks did Orpheus woo me with his lyre, 
I could not feel his power ; so try not, then, 
Thy simple skill. 

Phryne. 

What would my gracious mistress ? 



1 6 ANTING Vs. [ACT I. 

Sabina. 

The noon is warm. How hot the south wind blows 
Against my cheeks ! Burn up rich spices, girl, 
And thou, my Marcia, perfume thy fan. 
The air that comes a-wooing is not sweet. 
Since Hadrian followed Trajan's lead,3 and keeps 
Above the portal, '' This the People's Palace^' 
I scarce can draw a breath but that I know 
The plebs and their vile children have been here 
To see the Caesar's palace and deceive 
Themselves by saying, in their coarse, loud tones, 
" We are the power, this our state ; see where 

The Caesar lives " 

Insults from all ! Oh, girl, were I but free, 
Were I not bound to Hadrian's slightest wish. 
Would they not feel my power ! Methinks they would ! 
Could I control these plebs, though but a woman, 
I could devise a thousand ways a day 
To make them tremble and bow down to her 
Whom they have held in slight esteem, and with 
Low looks and vulgar tongues have scorned at as 
The unloved wife of Hadrian.'^ 

Marcia. 

Say not 
Unloved^ my mistress ; but you know my lord 
So busy is with his affairs, immersed 
So deeply in his studies night and day, 
So occupied with those who come from lands 
Far off and strange to counsel with him as 



SCENE 11.] ANTING Vs. 17 

They may, that but small time remains for him 
To play the lover. 

Sabina. 

Am not I a wife ? 
Have I no rights ? I have a heart, and not 
A stone within this breast, — a heart that needs 
A human love, a heart whose famished life 
Has starved pure feeling out, a heart so sore 
And tired of beating 'gainst its prison walls 
That it has ceased to long for liberty, 
And only asks to lean a while upon 
A happy one, then die. Aside. 

And if such one 
Is near me, can I blame this bruised heart 
For seeking a new love ? 'Twould be revenge 
Most spweet indeed, to steal the honey from 
The Caesar's lips and satisfy desire 
Also. Antinoiis is his as yet, 
But may be mine. 

To Phryne. 
Go, girl, bring roses red 
And deck my hair as you did once before. 
And Chrysis, sing — no, use your sweetest tones 
In calling hence the youth Antinoiis. 

Marcia. 

My mistress, I do think I see him walk 

With Caesar in the garden there. No doubt 

He'll bless your message which has bidden him here ; 



1 8 ANTING Vs. [ACT I. 

For by his looks he's out of favor with 
His lord, the. Emperor. 

Phryne enters^ bringing roses, and begins 
to dress Sabina's hair, 

Sabina, aside. 
'Tis well — My chance 

Enter Antinous ; kneels before Sabina. 

Antinous. 

Empress ! 

Sabina. 

Antinous ! 

Antinous. 

Chrysis hath said the Empress wished for me.* 

What may the business be ? Antinoiis 

Awaits to know your will — obey commands. 

Sabina. 

Cannot one wish to have a rose, or hear 

A nightingale's rich song, or see a friend, 

Except there be some great and deep-thought reason? 

It seems to me the wish, the need's, enough. 

Antinous. 
If he doth read aright your subtle thought, 
The poor Bithynian youth is doubly blest 
By your most gracious words. Blest that he may 



SCENE II.] ANTING OS. 19 

Be wished for by you, and that your kind heart 
Vouchsafes to let him know your friendly thought. 

Sabina, to attendants. 
Go, Marcia, Phryne — leave us a while. 

To Antinous, 
'^y friendly thought ! Call you it that ? Well, it 
Were best d. friendly thought. Tell me, fair youth, 
Have all thy thoughts been friendly too ? Hast thou 
Lived temperate all thy life, nor felt the glow, 
The wild, exultant throbs of conquering love, 
The fierce, the fixed, chill sense of desp'rate hate ? 

Antinous. 
My gracious lady, I have never felt 
Deep and soul-moving passions such as those. 
For love — if what I felt be called by that 
Same word whereby thou namedst that fierce, swift 

sense 
A moment since — for love I oft have known ^ 

A sweet, delicious joy and calm, as when 
I kissed my mother's soft dark eyes before 
I left my childhood's home ; or when I caught 
And tamed and made my own a young gazelle 
On Dia's plains. Oft have I felt great love 
Well up within my breast when Hadrian's hand 
Has lain in touch affectionate upon 
My head, or when he gave me gentle words. 
Or bade me sing that he might hear my voice. 
This have I felt, and I do call it love. 



20 ANTING Us. [act i. 

Sabina, aside. 

He loves me not ; he knows not what is love ! 
This madness — is it love or hate I feel ? 

To Antinous. 
And that is all ! No greater love than that, 
Antinous ? Have no shy eyes e'er looked 
In thine and said, " I love" ? Has no hand clasped 
Thine own, whose very touch, like fire on snow, 
Has melted thy cold heart ? Have no lips in 
An agony of love touched thine ? Thou frown'st — 
'Tis not a sign of love. 

Antinous. 
My Empress, to your questions all must I 
Still answer. No. The poor Bithynian youth, 
Unknown, unloved by all save Hadrian, 
Knows not that love whose passion and whose depth 
Demand a soul free both to give and to 
Receive. The slave may go so far and then 

Sabina. 

The slave / Am I not great, and have the power 
Thy chains to slip ? The slave ! — Antinous 
Has but to say a word and he is free. 

Antinous. 

What word ? 

Sabina. 
That thou dost love 



SCENE II.] ANTING Us. 21 

Antinous, recoiling. 

Empress, what's this ? 

Sabina. 

Hast thou not known ? dost thou not see how 'tis 

With me ? As welcome as the first spring breath 

Which stirs to Hfe and bids to blossom forth 

The frightened buds that live all winter long 

In darkness, hushed and still — Antinoiis, 

Such a fair and welcome herald hast thou been 

To my chilled soul. The few and bitter years 

Which I have spent as Hadrian's wife had made 

Me hate my life; but thou, all suddenly 

Dropt from the clouds, it seemed to me, by Jove, 

Who pitied my sad state, appearedst, and 

I knew that life was sweet. I loved ! — I loved ! 

Fair, godlike youth, what can I say to make 

Thee love me in return ? See, here I sue — 

An Empress — for thy heart ! Fear not thy lord 



Antinous. 
Stop ! or the gods' wrath will blast you ! You see 
A slave before you, it is true, but one 
In whom Bithynia's noblest blood could course 
And never suffer taint. You see before 
You, it is true, a slave, yet one to whom 
His master's honor is his own, yet one 
Who fain would shed his life's blood first to save 
That honor or himself from a disgrace. 
And though my body is a slave, my mind, 



22 ANTING Vs. [act i. 

My soul, my heart d^x^free and given in love, 

In faithful service, to the Emperor. 

Shall I desert him, then, or play him false ? 

If I do so, may I be thrust into 

The darkest spot in lowest hell, nor know 

Again the light of heav'n ! 

Sabina. 

And dar'st thou speak ? 

Sorrowfully. 
And thus, Antinoiis, thou speak'st to me ! 

And is this all ? It cannot be ! 

Antinous turns scornfully away. 

Thou slave ! 

Thou scorn'st me, then, — the Empress ! Oh, beware 

Lest my fierce love turn to as fierce a hate ! 

Thou scorn'st me, — thou ! Beware, for we shall see 

If thy proud spirit holds so to the end ! 

Exit Sabina. 



SCENE III. 

Same as preceding. 

Antinous, alone. 

Great gods ! what thunderbolt of your deep wrath 
Has fallen at my feet ! So fearful, so 
Aghast am I, I know not what has chanced. 
What said she ? — that she loved me ? Well, methinks 



SCENE III.] ANTING OS. 23 

Her language, actions, all spake so — I dream ! 

Yet no — alas ! I cannot so mistake ! 

But this I know full well — I rather had 

Her hatred than her love. What fearful blot 

Is this upon our Emperor ! And I, 

Who owe him all, who ever have received 

Great love and kindness from his hand, though oft 

He wounds me to the heart, yet knows it not. 

Who, from the hour he saw me first, have been, 

Though slave, his trusted friend — O gods ! that I 

Should be the one to bring on him disgrace 

And misery ! But cease, my troubled brain, 

To think such madd'ning, nameless, desp'rate 

thoughts. 
It cannot be my sorrows grow apace. 
But yet I fear her rage ! Oh, that I were 
The poor Bithynian youth, untrammelled and 
Unknown, that once I was in that sweet time 
Ere Hadrian, in imperial right, did take 
Me from that home I loved and bring me hence 
To all the pomp and pageantry of Rome ! 
Alas ! what have I gained by this exchange ? 
The very gods whom once I worshipped 
With all the ardor of my childish faith 
Seem to forget me here, nor offer sign 
That they are aught but phantoms of my brain. 
And not alone the heavenly powers do mock 
At me, but e'en the earthly joys that all 
The Roman youths can have are not for me. 
I may not show my strength and skill of arm 



24 ANTING Us. [ACT i. 

In those five-yearly games to Nero's fame,5 

Because — the Emperor's favorite is his slave. 

These limbs Bithynian lads oft thought so fleet 

May not be matched in speed with Rome's proud sons. 

Perchance 'tis well. I doubt not they have lost 

Their cunning, since Ambition's spur, which urged 

Them on, is greatly dulled by Time's disuse. 

My home and all its joys ! — Oh, had I them ! 

Methinks I hear again the broken roar 

Of the old Euxine 'gainst Bithynia's shores. 

Far sweeter is that music to mine ear 

Than are the silver tones of Chrysis' voice. 

These couches, soft with airy down from off 

The cygnet's breast, how gladly would I give 

To stretch myself upon the dewy grass 

Beside the moonlit bank of Hypius* stream 

And watch to see which of the twin-born gods ^ 

Will look with starry eyes upon me from 

The heavens ! How oft I long to rest my sight 

Upon the playmates of my early youth. 

Who loved me always and were kind ! How sweet 

And constant to my soul now seems their love 

When I compare it with my Emperor's moods, 

Who oft unkindly chides me when he's wroth, 

And then with fondest words draws still my soul 

To him, but ever wounds more than he cures ! 



SCENE IV.] ANTING OS. 2$ 

SCENE IV. 

A ckamder of the palace. 
Enter Sabina and ivomen. 

Sabina. 

Come fan me, Marcia, and Phryne, bring 
More flowers to strew my couch. 

Thou, Chrysis, sing. 

Enter Slave. 

Slave. 
Caius Verus ^ craves entrance. 

Sabina. 

Good ! Announce 
Him! 

Enter Verus, atte?tded by the four Winds. 
Welcome thou, my lord ! 

Verus. 

Fair Empress, by 
Thy leave. Kisses her hand. 

Sabina. 
Welcome ! and all thy pretty Winds 
Still follow in thy wake ? Methought most sure 
Some other dainty fancy had misplaced 
Those sprites ! 



26 ANTING Vs. [ACT i. 

Verus, 

What ! let these pretty fools escape 
Who run so lightly for me to and fro ! 
The gods forbid ! They are more sweet and more 
Obedient than are the winds whose names 
They bear, — a virtue, thou'lt agree, as this 
Warm breeze blows all too ardently. 



Sabina, regarding flowers. 

Roses 
Should feel most grateful to these airs, for see 
How they have burst their crimson petals that 
Their perfumed hearts may feel the warm caress. 
Wilt have some ? 

Verus. 

Go, my Zephyrus, and bring 
Them hence. 

\Aside. She makes me a crown.] 
Shouldst see my breezes dance ! Their feet 
Go twinkling in and out to Phyrric time 
Like stars that flash and glow, as if they feared 
To show their beauty long, and so eclipse 
Their own proud selves that they may shine more 

bright 
A second after. 

Sabina, to Boreas. 

Take these jasmines sweet. 



SCEN£ IV.] ANTING Vs. 2/ 

Verus. 
.Fair Empress, no ! That flower too odorous is. 
Its perfume steals into my brain and makes 
Me giddy with the scent. 

Zephyrus, I faint ! 
Ah! slower; now I live — this fearful pain ! 

Sabina, aside. 

The weakling, this young fool ! That he should be 
Rome's master ! Though I were ten thousand times 
A woman and a tyrant's slave, yet will 
I circumvent and frustrate all his plans ! 
If I could be — \jhinks] were Hadrian dead ! — and yet — 
Looks around and perceives Verus regarding her. 
Ah ! Verus, this is sad. Rome's promised lord 

Verus. 
Sabina, thou dost know the promised lord 
Of little moment is : it is that one 
Who holds the sceptre in his hand, who gives 
An Empire's laws, whose smile or frown is that 
Which men do crave or fear — the health of such 
A one should be a nation's constant care. 
And by those words I am reminded of 
My mission hence, — to ask how Caesar fares. 
If these warm winds have stayed his painful cough. 

Sabina. 

Ask me not, Verus — ask his slave, who keeps 
A strict and never-failing watch o'er him. 



28 ANTING t/S. [ACT I. 

Antinoiis knows more of Hadrian's health, 

Of Hadrian's thoughts, of Hadrian's heart, than e'er 

His wife has known. Yonder they walk, beneath 

The dusty olive-trees, the Emperor's hand 

Laid lovingly upon the curling locks 

Of that fair head. Your Caesar now you see 

Leans like a lover upon him who is 

His slave ! Yet if / speak or smile to those 

Around, his jealous wrath leaps up ! The wife 

Of Hadrian must be made of other stuff 

Than human flesh and blood. She must not look 

Upon those lower than herself He deems 

The deep snows on the summit of the Alps 

Should be less cold than her poor heart. The mask 

Of some still statue should be hers to hide 

The human thoughts within. Her woman's tongue 

Should speak no woman's words, but, courtier-like. 

Should pander to my lord's capricious moods, 

Or, silent, make no plaint ! 

Verus, aside. 

How well she plays 
The injured wife ! I'll act accordingly. 

To Sabina. 
If this is so, the Caesar is unkind, 
Ungenerous to you, his noble wife. 

Sabina. 

If this is true I I tell you, Verus, it 
Is but the weak expression of a heart 



SCENE IV.] ANTING OS. 29 

Filled full of wrath for wrongs that it has felt. 

I call the gods to witness that I am 

The true and faithful wife of him who wears 

Proud Rome's imperial robe. Yet were I his 

Dishonored slave he could not use me worse, 

Nor make it seem that I do merit less 

Of his esteem. Gods, witness what I say ! 

Verus. 
Think'st thou the gods record thy vows above ? 

Sabina. 
If they do not, nor care to right my wrongs, 
A woman, weak and mortal though she be. 
Shall teach the God of Vengeance how to act ! 

Verus. 
Why, what is this, Sabina ? This outburst ? 
What has the Emperor done to merit him 
Such harsh reproach ? Thou shouldst make great 

excuse 
For one who suffers much \_aside] and will not die. 
If that the Emperor is a little harsh. 
And busied always with his studies deep. 
So that he sometimes fails to act the part 
Of loving husband to his noble wife. 
Blame him not then, but let your hot words fall 
Upon the wise and learned fools who throng 
Great Hadrian's halls, and fill his time and thoughts 
Until his life is all estranged from thine. 



30 ANTING Vs. [ACT I. 

Sabina. 

And is all Rome thus aware how Caesar 

Treats me ? Can each low-born and low-lived wretch 

Within this city draw as well as thou 

The picture of our joyless wedded state ? 

Verus. 

Believe me, gracious Empress, that thou hast 
The sympathy and love of all of us ! 

Sabina. 
The sympathy ! Now, by the gods, this is 
Too much ! That I the object e'er should be 
Of Romans' pity ! True, a bitter lot 
For one who boasted in her time she was 
Most lovely, proud, and envied of her sex! 

Verus. 

And can she not that boast still make ? I swear 
To her as much and more ! 

And why shouldst thou 
Not make that beauty which is thine the means 
Of drawing to thee others who would be 
Some solace to thee in unlovely hours ? 
I know of some who, for a smile from thee, 
Sabina, more than Hadrian's frown would dare. 



Sabina. 
Because, my lord, thou know'st as well as I- 



scene iv.] anting os. 3 1 

Verus. 
/ know ? 

Sabina. 
Yes, Verus, thou dost know full well 
My lord and master hides me here away 
From all the world. I may not even see 
Those of my nearest friends and family. 
A special favor it is deemed that I 
May talk ^ith thee. 

Verus. 
This is indeed unkind ! 



Sabina. 



And then Antinous- 



Verus. 

Antinoiis ? 
The pretty silken cur ! 'Tis dangerous 
For him to live in thy fair presence all 
The day ! 

Sabina. 

Fear not for such as he, my lord ! 
So virtuous, so pure a soul has naught 
For me but pity, like your Roman crowd ! 
Antinoiis — oh ! thou shouldst have been here 
Some moments since and thou hadst heard me chid 
By Hadrian's slave ! " A slave," he said, " but one 
Whose master's honor was his own ! But one" — 
Oh, let me die if ever I forget 



32 ANTING Vs. [ACT i. 

Those biting words, or ever turn aside 
One instant from revenge ! 

Verus. 

What ! he hath said 
Such words — Antinoiis ? 'Tis Hadrian, I 
Doubt not, has made him thus o'erbold. He will 
Not bow before Sabina's lovely face ! 
How punish such a one ? Since Caesar, though, 
Holds him so dear, thou wouldst not wish him harm. 

Sabina. 

My lord, think'st thou that reason weighs with me ? 
That Hadrian loves Antinous 



Verus. 
Is just another reason why thou shouldst — 
I see ! But while great Caesar loves him so 
It is impossible that aught could be 
Brought to his charge which would not be condoned. 
While Caesar lives Antinous is safe ! 

Sabina. 

Had I the power, or thou, or both of us, 

This bosom, now on fire with burning thoughts, 

Would know the joys of dear and swift revenge ! 

Verus, aside. 

Were Hadrian dead and were Sabina mine. 

My bosom, now aglow with hopes as high 

As Caesar's throne, would know achieved desire. 



SCENE IV.] ANTING Vs. 33 

To Sabina. 
The Caesar should be careful of his health. 
These torrid days are followed oft by nights 
Whose piercing chills and heavy dews may be 
Most fatal ! 

Sabina. 

Sharpened daggers have a chill 
More fatal than the dews of ev'ning. 

Verus. 

Ah! 

Enough to-day, for I must go. If I 

Do fail to comprehend thy words, 'tis not 

For want of wit. 

Come quickly, all my Winds ! 

Attend upon me. Hither ! To Sabina. 

Fare ye well ! 

Exeunt Verus and Winds, 

Sabina. 

What have I done ! The gods protect me now ! 
Antinoiis, forgive me if my wrath 
Has brought thy fair head low ! No ! no ! What do 
I say ? Have I not cause to hate the locks 
Upon the slave's proud head ? To scorn those ^y^^ 
Tender and passionate, to loathe those lips 
That spake me so ? Oh, when I think how thou 
Hast flung me back my love, I could myself 
Twist out that hair, pluck forth those eyes, and seal 
Those coral lips in silence everlasting ! 

3 



34 ANTING Vs. [ACT I. 

For thee, O Hadrian, I could wish thee dead 

A thousand, thousand times ! My soul is sick 

With very thought of thee. Go talk, discuss 

With thy wise friends,^ or, better still, employ 

Thy magic art to end thy days, so I 

Can have my freedom once again ! For all 

Thy slights, thy taunts, thy harsh commands, and all 

Thy watchfulness, I will revenge them each 

And all a thousandfold ! Exit Sabina. 



ACT II.] ANTINOVS. 35 

ACT II. 

SCENE I. 

Wood near Rome. Hermit's cell in the distance. 
Enter Verus, disguised. 

Verus. 

To plan, to dare, to do great deeds, what can 
Inspire th' ambitious soul like these grand trees 
Whose tops reach upward to embrace the clouds ! 
And he whose heart beats equal with his hope 
Can dare, can do all things ! I'll Caesar be. 
All my ambition is fixed there. But then 
How shall I reach the summit of desire 
And 'scape the dangers of the steep ascent ? 
I am not even named great Hadrian's heir, 
But, with a subtility which I could love 
To look upon were it but practised on 
Another than myself, he puts me off . 
From day to day, as if he feared to make 
His thought a deed and thus proclaim me all 
But Emperor of Rome. 

Sabina does 
Not know, and must not, that I am not heir. 
Let her but think her safety lies in me, 
And I will manage so it shall. And more, 
I need some one 



56 ANTlNOUS. [ACT II. 

Verus suddenly perceives the Hermit, 
who has entered. 
But who is coming here ? 
Hermit, not seeing Verus, prostrates himself 
before a cross and worships. Verus allows 
him to proceed a while, then approaches him. 
Ho, slave ! what god is that thou'rt worshipping ? 

Hermit springs up. 
Hermit. 

Jesus of Nazareth, the Saviour of 
The world ! 

Verus, 

Know'st thou 'tis death t' uphold that god ? 

Hermit. 
I know 'tis death not to uphold that god. 

Verus. 
Beware ! thou know'st not who I am, that thus 
Thou speak'st ! How darest thou now proclaim thy 

zeal ? 
Hast thou no fear of Hadrian's prison cells ? 

Hermit. 

I fear ! Fear to the carnal thought belongs. 
And I, with rigid fasts, with thirst unslaked, 
With praying on sharp stones, with knotted cords 
Drawn tight around my bleeding limbs, with nights 
Wherein my eyelids have not once closed o'er 
My aching eyes, — with all these and with more 



SCENE I.] ANTING Us. 37 

Have I expelled the carnal passions from 
This wasted form. 

Verus. 

Beware ! The Emperor loves 
Not your foul tribes of Christian slaves, and may 
Treat Rome to such another sight as did 
Great Nero when he caused ye burn on earth 
Ere you descended to eternal flames. 
A word from me 

Hermit. 
They told us Hadrian had 
Been lenient unto all who thus professed. 

Verus. 
'Tis just decreed that they shall die who own 
To worshipping the god whom you call Christ. 
Therefore again I say beware ! A word 
From me 

Hermit. 

And ere thou say'st that word will I 



Both draw daggers. Verus laughs scornfully. 

Verus. 
Thou dog ! put up thy weapon or thy life 
Shall pay the forfeit to have thus braved one 
Who soon, perhaps, will be thy Emperor. 
Besides, consider well. It is not /, 
But Hadrian ; the Emperor is thy foe. 
For me, I have no care if Christ or Ra 
Or Jupiter may be thy god ; but he 



38 ANTING Vs. [ACT II. 

Who rules great Rome, — the Caesar, — he has care. 
Therefore I say beware ! The time is come 
When such as thou shalt feel the dread of one 
Who holds thee in his power and longs to crush 
His slaves ! The Emperor's wrath is great against 
Ye all. He does not love your saintly priests, 
And watches close to see if any be 
Who hold their secret meetings yet in Rome. 

Hermit. 
The God of St. Ignatius be our help ! 

Verus. 

Ay, call upon your gods ! 

Yet, for myself, 
I like your zeal much better than our sloth. 
We do not fear our gods, and love them less. 
But you feel both great fear and love, is't so ? 
Perhaps there something noble is in your 
Belief I yet may be a convert t' it 
Myself And as I say, it is not I, — 
Who soon must be Rome's Emperor, — but he 
Who is Rome's lord, great Hadrian, who is thy 
Most bitter foe ; therefore I say beware ! 

Hermit, thoughtfully. 

As for myself, that would not urge me on 
To plan a way to have redress ; but that 
The many others here in Rome should be 
So persecuted and distressed by him ! 



SCENE I.] ANTING OS, 39 

Verus. 
'Tis horrible so many souls must die, 
Condemned by one man's cruelty ! 

Hermit. 

My God ! 
They must not ! Give me strength that I may be 
The one on whom alone the scourge must fall. 

Verus. 

Well, I must leave thee, holy friend, yet will 

I come again and learn of thee, I hope, 

Those lessons which our gods have failed to teach. 

Hermit retires without seeming to hear him. 
He hears me not ; 'tis well ; a sign his brain 
Is thinking o'er my words, — few, yet I hope 
Not uttered all in vain ! 

What dullards live 
On earth ! This hermit here, whose many fasts 
And prayers an edge should give to his dull wits, 
Is no more wise than those who throng the court 
And smile to think that Verus is a fool 
Whose droll, short-lived conceits are playthings of 
Slow, idle hours. Deceive them all — it is 
My joy ! 



40 ANTING Vs. [ACT II. 

SCENE 11. 

Same as preceding. 

' Enter Antinous. Verus conceals himself. Hermit 
enters with Antinous. 

Hermit. 
Methought thou hadst forgot me for this day. 

Antinous. 

*Tis late, I know, oh, holy friend. The tears 
Which early morn hath shed are long since dried ; 
But yet I could not come ere this. My lord 
Did call me early that I might on him 
Attend, and then the Empress wished for me 

Hermit. 

Why, what is this ? Thou'rt sad and troubled, and 
I wonder not. Thy conscience argues with 
Thy young desire against the life thou lead'st. 
But tell me all. Thou know'st I love thee well. 

Antinous. 
*Tis nothing now. My life is happy, and 
Except — not e'en to you can I tell all. 
How kind my master is ! — and yet his love 
Itself makes misery still more sharp when I 
Contrast it with the hate of those who taunt 
Great Hadrian's favorite. 



SCENE II.] ANTINOVS. 41 

Hermit., 

Antinoiis ! 
Oh, that my words are all in vain ! Cannot 
I turn thee from this sensual world ? Cannot 
I turn thee from this carnal love and make 
Thee hate all but pure, holy thoughts, say prayers, 
Do penance for committed sins, fast till 
All wish for earthly pleasure cease, bow thy 
Frail body to a higher will and leave 
With joy Rome's gilded palaces of sin ? 

Antinous. 

Nay, but thou dost not wish me now to leave 
My master, who is ill and troubled with 
Grave cares of state. 'Tis true I cannot do 
Him weighty service, yet methinks I am 
A solace to him and a joy. Oft when 
I speak to him or sing, the marks of age 
Seem suddenly to vanish and a smile 
Dawns on his face, so worn with pain and care. 
Thou wouldst not have me leave him now alone ! 

Hermit, aside. 
He loves him so I almost hate to speak. 

To Antinous. 
Thou lov'st thy master, and thou deem'st him kind ; 
But I tell thee, Antinous, thy lord 
Is but a tyrant, — a most cruel one. 
Know'st thou the edict but just passed, that all 
Who own that they are Christians, die ? Therefore 



42 ANTING OS. [ACT II. 

Thy Emperor has me wholly in his power. 
To-day, perchance, may be my last on earth ! 

Antinous. 
It cannot be ! My lord is just. He will 
Not punish thus ; for look you, he does not 
Pray but to Roman gods : ^ he loves also 
The gods of Egypt and of Greece, and builds 
Great, ponderous temples there to worship them. 
And think you he will be severe with you 
Who call yourselves the men of Christ ? In faith, 
I think he will be pleased that there arise 
A new religion, for thou know'st he is 
Dissatisfied with every faith. 'Tis that 
Indeed which makes me sad. Oh, can it be 
The very gods are not ! 

Hermit. 

Believe me, they 
Are dead, or rather they have never lived ; 
And they are dead who live in faith of them. 

Antinous. 
Oh, say not so ! 'Tis death indeed to have 
No faith 1 

Hermit. 

Oh, boy, the gods thou lov'st are not. 
Nor ever have been but in clouded brains 
And heathen hearts of those who worship them. 



scene ii.] anting os. 43 

Antinous. 
Thou too, like Hadrian, take from me that which 
I love and rev'rence. Yet my faith lacks much, — 
I know not what. I can but pray the gods ! 

Hermit. 

Poor famished soul ! the plaything and delight 
Of one who kills thy soul that he may own 
Thy beauty ; leaves thee in the dark that he 
May be thy light ; sets thee adrift that thou 
Mayst cling to him for safety ? Shall such one 
Be let to do his devilish will ? Do not 
Our tortured friends and martyred bishops cry 
Aloud from heaven a thunderous No ? 

To Antinous. 
Farewell ! 
I cannot even guide thee now to be 
A Christian ; for since Hadrian's edict has 
Gone forth, I fear thou soon must lose thy friend. 
Who prays his friendship has not wrought thee harm. 

Antinous. 
Thou dost not mean my lord will do thee ill ! 
He knows not of thee ! I have said no word 
Whereby he could conceive a Christian dwelt 
Within these woods, although he knows I oft 
Walk here. It is not so, — this new decree. 
I have heard naught. Who told it thee ? If he 
Should hear of thee, my lord will grant what love 
Shall beg and right demand, — thy life. 



44 ANTJNOUS. [ACT II. 

Hermit. 

Verus 
Hath told me of the Emperor's new decree. 
If Hadrian lives t' enforce this law, not I 
Alone, but thousands like to me will die 
And naught can save us ! Aside, 

'Tis this, though, which makes 
Me almost dare to do that which the will 
Divine has gendered here. Points to forehead. 

Antinous. 

It cannot be ! 
And yet, if true ! — the caves you told me of — 
Quick, hide thyself! Great Zeus himself could scarce 
Pierce to those fearful depths and find thee there ! 

Hermit. 

Perchance — and still perchance I have that work 
To do, which makes it needful to stay here. 
Tis very late ; go now, but come again. 

Exeunt Antinous and Hermit 
in different directions. 

Verus, emerging from his hiding-place. 

now, Fortuna, be my friend ! This game 
With Chance, imperial Rome for prize, if I 
But play with courage, is already mine. 

1 have them both ! The hermit, through his love 
For all his fellows, dares to do the deed 

Which I have set; or if his zeal should prove 



SCENE III.] ANTING OS, 45 

Too feeble an incentive to the work, 

Methinks I heard enough between those two 

To satisfy his mind that it were best 

To do what I shall bid. The fellow loves 

Antinoiis — a hint that I will rouse 

Great Hadrian's fiery wrath against the youth, 

If he refuse, will counterbalance all ; 

And having thus Antinoiis and him 

So firmly in my power, then will I crush 

Them both. To-night the Emperor knows, thou slave, 

How thou didst talk of him with Christian dogs ! 

Oh, joy ! Thus will I add another sting 

To Hadrian's life ere — but enough ! O now, 

Fortuna, be my friend ! 

Exit Verus. 



SCENE HI. 

Palace. 

Enter Tatian and LiENAS. Other Romans already 
there, conversing. 

LiENAS. 

I greet you, friends ! 

Tatian. 

Greetings to all ! How fares 
The Caesar ? 



46 ANTING Vs. [ACT II. 

RuFiNUS, entering, laughing. 

Ah ! the day's fierce noontide heat 
Is mirrored in the Emperor's mood. When last 
I saw him, he and Turbo were engaged 
In a dispute Breaks off, laughing. 

What? What? 

RUFINUS. 

'Twas Turbo, who, 
You know, imagines with a fond conceit 
He can, like Favorinus, pierce a shield 
With wit's short weapon, drown an arguer 
In a swift current of deep thought, impale 
His poor antagonist upon a lance 
Made of a long and two-edged syllogism. 
'Twas Turbo — but they come ! 

Enter Hadrian and Turbo. 

Hadrian. 

Until thou learn'st 

The words aright, let not thy slippery tongue 

Offend against thy master, Horace. 'Tis 

As I have said — no argument of thine 

Can prove me to be wrong. Enough ! 

Turbo. 

My lord, 

'Tis a conclusion easily derived ^ 

From premises most obviously true. 



SCENE III.] ANTING Vs. 47 

The master of Rome's thirty legions can 
Be never in the wrong ! 

RuFiNUS, aside. 

No argument 
Sounder than that ! Thou show'st thyself as good 
A rhetorician as Favorinus, 
For coming to the point so soon, and as 
Profound as Epictetus in the art 
Of true philosophy, to bear with grace 
The proof and burden of the fact. 

Favorinus. 

But see — 
The Emperor wishes to be left alone. 

Exeunt all but Hadrian. 

Enter Verus. 

Verus. 
Most noble Hadrian ! 

Hadrian. 

Welcome, Verus ! 

Verus, drawing mantle around him. 
The air grows cool as Phoebus' rays decline. 
And shadows deep draw quickly on, my lord. 



48 ANTING Vs. [ACT II. 

Hadrian. 

Ah ! would they could bring deep repose to those 
Whose nights are days — a waking time, and full 
Of cares as are the sunny hours. 

Verus. 

My lord ! 
And is your health no better, or is't cares 
Of state, or false-proved friends, or what that weighs 
You down? 

Hadrian. 
— " Or false-proved friends ?" Why that in such 
A meaning tone ? I have no friends but one, 
And were he false — but no, I'd trust my life 
Upon Antinoiis' true love ! 



Verus. 

The slave ! 
Antinoiis ! the one who has ! — my lord- 



Hadrian. 

Speak, speak ! What wouldst thou say to crush my 

faith 
In that one whom I love ? 

Verus. , 

/ crush your love ! 
'Tis not for me to speak 'gainst Hadrian's 



scene iii.] antinoos. 49 

Hadrian. 
My slave ? my friend ? my son ? — Say what thou wilt ; 
My wrath is spent for this one day. Say on ! 

Verus, aside. 
My lord so loves Antinoiis that he 

Would be ill pleased to hear me speak what I 

To Hadrian. 
My lord, have I said aught whereby you might 
Think I had aught to say ? 

Hadrian. 

Now, by the gods, 
That smooth and artful face hides from me some 
Great lie or truth as 'twere a coward mask. 
Beware my anger. And thou darest to say 
What lurks within thy mind, then say. If not, 
'Twere better thou hadst not stirred up my wrath 
Afresh. 

Verus. 
I fear my lord is ill, that such 
Strange fancies should take shape within his brain 
And struggle forth in speech. 

Hadrian. 

Know then, my lord, 
To think and not to speak is coward-like. 
Our thoughts, if true, are ever ready to 
Leap forth as guides upon the way to deeds. 

4 



50 ANTING OS. [ACT II. 

Verus. 
My noble lord, your words are true, and I 
Will speak that you may know me to be brave, 
Though I shall gain but the few, slender thanks 
One gives to bringers of bad news. 'Tis this. 
In brief: Antinoiis, your slave, is false 
To you, his mighty lord. False that he loves 
The new and currish faith of those who call 
Themselves the men of Christ. Daily he speaks 
With one, a hermit, who now lives within 
The woods which skirt the Aventine. There he 
In secret talk pours forth his griefs, and sighs 
To leave the " gilded palaces of Rome." 
But not content so to express his mind. 
He tells long-winded tales of how " his lord 
Loves not the gods," and speaks of those minute 
And many private things which but to know 
Were to keep silent on. 

Hadrian. 

Great gods ! But how. 
My lord, did you learn this ? Yourself were but 
A thought too knowing of the crime. 

Verus. 

Caesar ! 
I must confess a fault, which to condone 
Were but to thank me for my news. I walked 
At noon within the woods of which I spake, 
And there did see the hermit kneel before 



SCENE III.] ANTINOVS. 5 1 

His crucifix; which sight did so amaze 
My eyes that silent there I stood, and soon 
Another figure glanced upon the scene. 
As friends they met, Antinous and he. 
The mumbling fool ! This time my strained eyes 
Refused to move from off the two, and e'en 
My listening ears were party to the crime. 
That it was you of whom they talked, and that 
I marked their traitorous thoughts, the reasons are 
Why I did hide me by a great oak-tree. 

Hadrian. 

Enough ! Now go ! But ere I thank you for 
Your news, myself will find if it be true. 

Verus, aside. 
Yes, truly, 'tis enough ! My work is done, 
And well. Suspicions once aroused are hard 
To quell. Exit Verus. 

Hadrian. 

I fear me it is true, and yet 
I would not let him know the pain he gives, 
Nor see my feelings thus o'erthrown. So will 
I try in secret to detect his guilt 
Or truth. Antinous ! Antinous ! 
And I will let affairs shape their own course. 
Nor even have the Christian dog removed, 
But wait until Antinous comes to 
Me to confess his fault and pray to be 
Forgiven. 



52 ANTING Us, [ACT ii. 

SCENE IV. 

Late in the afternoon. Antinous walking in the gar- 
dens in front of the palace. Hadrian appears. 

Antinous. 
Called you, my master ? 

Hadrian. 

No, Antinous. 

Aside. 
How shall I keep my promise not to speak ! 

Antinous. 
My lord is wearied with the day's dull cares ? 

Hadrian. 
Ay, boy, — with cares and griefs thou know'st not of. 
And yet mayhap thy smooth, unfurrowed brow 
Hides from my view such thoughts and schemes as 

wait 
But little time to write their history on 
That erstwhile blank and fair exterior. 

Antinous. 

My heart, as yet, holds all my life, and it 
Is full of love and reverence for my lord. 
And as for Time — methinks old age will spare 
Me from his train of motley followers. 
A something tells me that the years are few 



SCENE IV.] ANTINOUS. 53 

Which I shall spend upon this weary earth ; 

And were it not for you, my lord, right glad 

I'd be. 

Hadrian. 

Antinoiis, such gloomy thoughts 
Are not for one so young. They come but for 
Two reasons : one, a creeping illness steals 
The subtle vigor from our blood and mind. 
Making great wrecks of all our goodly hopes, 
Or else the dark and loathsome shadow of 
Deep crime or evil purposes is cast 
O'er our wild thoughts, thus tingeing them with night 
Of moral death. Too young, too strong, too fair 
Thou art to be the victim of a dread 
Disease, hence reason forces upon me 
The last sad thought. If thou hast aught to say 
Confess it now ; my wrath has disappeared. 
And see, if thou wilt tell me all, my love 
Will pardon sins of deep import. 

Antinous, wonderingly. 

My lord ! 
Hadrian. 
Nay, let not base deception add its blot 
To thy late stainless soul ! Then speak, my boy ! 

Antinous. 
Alas ! my lord, what would you ? 'Twould indeed 
Be base deception to pretend to that 
Which yet I know not of 



54 ANTING Vs. [ACT II. 

Hadrian. 

Yet one chance more 
I give, Antinoiis ! Confess thy sin ; 
My love will pardon all. 

Antinous. 

My lord, my dumb, 
Unlearned lips refuse to speak of that 
To them unknown. Hint but my crime, that they 
May know whereof they are accused. 

Hadrian. 

Oh, must 
I question thee like to a common slave ? 
Is not thy soul apprised of my love, 
That it should fear to make demands upon 't ? 
Shall I draw from thee word by word thy faults ? 

Antinous. 
My lord ! Antinous is innocent 
Until proved guilty ! and his conscience knows 
No crime whereof it is accused. 

Hadrian. 

Thou slave ! 
Dost speak so to thy Emperor ? Beware ! 
And now I leave thee till thou dost confess 
Thy double fault. Thou lov'st me not, and would 
Betray thy lord ! 



SCENE IV.] ANTING Us. 55 

Antinous. 
The Caesar speaks, the slave 
Has naught to say. 

Hadrian. 

Dost own thy fault ? 

Antinous. 

What fault ? 

Hadrian, furiously. 

If by to-morrow thou dost not repent, 

The Caesar will be harsher than he is 

To-day. Hadrian disappears. 

Antinous. 
'Tis always thus ! And yet I love 
My Emperor. Would I could but prove it him ! 
Unhappy, he creates unhappiness. 
The gods protect him and Antinous ! 

Enter Sabina. 

Sabina. 
Antinous ! 

Antinous. 
Empress ! 

Sabina. 

I thought to find 
Thee here. Are we alone? Antinous 

Antinous. 
Madame, were it not best to call Hadrian ? 



56 ANTINOOS. [ACT II. 

Sabina. 

The Emperor! Gods! What is't thou say'st? Alone — 
But now — how shall I speak ? Antinoiis, 
Dost thou remember well what thou didst say 
To me this morn ? 

Antinous. 

Empress, I have forgot 
This morn ! 

Sabina. 

Alas ! not I, and I am come 
Once more to bid thee love her who has loved 

Thee long ! 

Antinous. 

Love comes not so, I've heard, when bid 

To come. 

Sabina. 

Beware, Antinous ! How harsh, 
How cruel looks thy face ! 

Dost thou recall 
The scornful language thou hast used to her 
Who is thy Empress ? 

Antinous. 

Madame, the Empress 
Has ceased to be to-day, methinks, and when 
I talked with thee this morn, Sabina spake. 

Sabina. 

And 'tis to her — the woman — thou shouldst ^peak. 
The Empress has no need of love ; but I — 
Sabina — weary am and sigh to be 



SCENE IV.] ANTING OS. 57 

Beloved ! Methought my heart would break when 

thou 
Didst speak me so ! And then my anger burned. 
Now I feel naught but love intense for thee. 

Antinous. 

And that ! — 'twere better thou wert dead than feel 
Aught but compassion for Antinous ! 

Sabina. 
Compassion ! — 'tis the shadow of bright love ! 

Antinous. 

Then hatred feel for me, and I will deem 
It greater honor for thyself and me ! 

Sabina. 

Antinoiis, beware ! I am afraid 

Of my own self when I am wroth. And is 

This all thou hast to say, — the end of all ? 

Antinous. 
What has the slave Antinous to say 
To Hadrian's wife, the Empress of proud Rome ? 

Sabina. 
Hush! 

'Tis o'er ! Thou scorn'st alike my love 

And anger ; but the time will come when thou 

Shalt, trembling, bow to her who speaks with thee ! 

Farewell ! Antinous stands looking after 

Sabina, who disappears. 



58 ANTING OS. [ACT III. 



ACT III. 

SCENE I. 

Balcony of the palace. Night. 

Sabina. 

Cease, cease my troubled thoughts ! Close, wakeful 

eyes ! 
Sleep and deep rest have fled from me. Is this 
The prologue to my drama of remorse ? 
Why should I feel remorse ? Is it that I 
Did speak the truth of Hadrian ? Did say 
Antinoiis the slave, should feel my wrath ? 
Ay, so he shall ! Bear witness all ye powers 
Of Night ! My Heart, know'st thou he spurned thy 

love ? 
Antinoiis, — the slave ! Then shall not I, 
My Heart, revenge the slight ? And if thou shouldst 
Say " No," speak thou, my royal Pride ! Shall I 
Forget, forgive this insult to thyself? 
A thousand times No ! no ! And yet he is 
A noble youth, and noblest when he rose 
'Gainst me in his white wrath. I love him for 
The reason I should not, — a woman's love ! 
And yet I hate him too ! 



SCENE I.] ANTINOOS. 59 

*' While Hadrian lives 
Antinoiis is safe," — those were his words. 
" While Hadrian lives still is Sabina bound," 
He might have truly said. Pauses. 

What care I, then ? 
Let it be so ! Verus, take thou thy course, 
So will I act with thee ! and yet, — what fear 
I ! — woman, thou art weak ! 

Verus, below ; calls softly. 
Sabina ! 

Sabina. 

Verus, is it thou ? 

Verus. 

Soft! soft! 
Descend, Sabina, I would speak with thee ! 

Sabina, aside. 

The hour is come ! Shall I consent ? I come ! 

To Verus. 

Verus and Sabina conceal themselves behind oak-trees. 

Verus. 
Has any smile from the Bithynian youth 
Or some kind word of Hadrian's checked your wrath. 
Turned out of mind the thoughts engendered there 
By biting scorn and years of rude neglect ? 
Art still the injured wife, neglected love? 



6o • ANTING us. [ACT in. 

Or has a word, a look, quelled thy fierce rage 
Which burned so bright within a few hours past? 



Sabina.. 

Thou think'st me weak ! Know, then, that I am 

strong ! 
A smile, a word, do not suffice to turn 
The rushing current of my wrath. Speak, if 
Thou hast to say to me ! And fear thou not 
A woman will defeat thy hardiest plans. 

Verus. 

The Empress speaks in that and I obey ! 

The Emperor lives ! What follows that ? you ask. 

While Hadrian lives thou hast no power to rule. 

These murmuring plebs whom thou so hat'st can still 

Go free and jest and speak of thee with rude 

Familiarity. While Hadrian lives 

Thou know'st no freedom from his watchful eyes. 

The open scorn he shows to thee is still 

Thy lot and unrevenged. While Hadrian lives, 

As we both know, that sadly-smiling youth 

Antinoiis, the object of thy hate, 

Is safe. While Hadrian lives revenge cannot 

Be thine. Still must thou see the pretty snake 

Who knows so well how he can venom forth ! 

Still must thou suffer him to live — he who 

Has trampled on thy love ! 



SCENE I.] ANTING OS. 6 1 



Sabina. 



The Emperor. 



Enough ! What then ? 



Verus. 

Both whispering. 



Die! 



Verus. 

Thou rightly saidst a blade of steel has chill 
More deadly than aught else, and I have found 
Within the Aventinian wood there dwells 
A zealous hermit who will do this thing. 

Sabina. 
And in return what askest thou ? 'Tis not 
For me alone thou murderest Hadrian ! 

Verus. 
Speak softly ! 

Sabina. 

What ! afraid of shadows and 
Of winds ? Well, when the murder's done, how shall 
I know I will not be as bound as now? 
An Empress would I be in truth, since I 
Have known naught but the empty name. And my 
Revenge ? Shall I have that when thou art lord 
Of Rome? A poor exchange indeed 'twould be 
For me to cast my Empress rank aside 
And make young Verus master of all Rome. 



62 ANTING OS. [ACT iii. 

Verus. 

Help me to that great end and thou shalt be 
The partner and full sharer of my power. 
I will not speak dissembling words of love 
To thee ; yet will I say, " My heart is thine, 
Since it hath beat in unison to none." 

Sabina. 
Enough ! Aside. 

Oh, what a smooth-tongued hypocrite ! 

We know each other now — the time is past 

For such hypocrisy ! While yet we dared 

Not say too much, or feared to say amiss, 

'Twas well enough to mask our thoughts and let 

Them play at hide-and-seek with wary words. 

But now ! I, woman though I am, fear not 

To speak out clear and plain. If Hadrian dies, 

I shall the Empress be of Rome, and have 

The full revenge I crave. Is that what means 

This midnight talk? 

Verus. 

How rash thou art ! Speak not 

So loudly. Winds are whispering what we say, 

Perchance. 

Sabina. 

Swear, Verus, by all that thou lov'st ! 
Swear by the powers thou dread'st ! Swear by great 

Jove, 
That surely as the Caesar falls and thou 
The Emperor art, I shall thy consort and 



SCENE I.] ANTING OS. 63 

The Empress be ! Swear or great Hadrian knows 
This night's compact ! 

Verus. 
I swear ! Yet thou must lend 
Me subtle aid or all may yet be lost. 
Though Hadrian's heir, I am not over-loved 
By these infernal plebs. 

I have a plan 
To make that sure which now we hope to be. 
When Hadrian lives no more, we must conceal 
His death and give it out the Emperor's ill. 
And ere his death is known word must be sent 
To all the legions and the Senate that 
The Emperor's wish, his great desire, was that 
Young Verus might be lord of Rome. Then is 
The moment come to cry, " The Emperor's dead !" 
And lo ! another Emperor — myself — 
Is there to take his place ! 

Sabina. 

Yet, Verus, tell : 
How dost thou purpose so to reach that end ? 

Verus. 

The hermit that I told thee of; the one 

Verus whispers to Sabina. 

Sabina. 
Great gods ! it cannot be ! To-morrow night ! 



64 ANTING Us. [ACT III. 

Verus. 

Hush ! hush ! A few words more, another threat, 
A hint, and he is ours. His fiery zeal 
And righteous wrath are ahnost ready for 
The deed. I go to make that threat, to say 
Those words, to rouse him to the awful pitch 
Which makes such actions easy to be done. 
To-morrow — shudder not — this hour must see 
Thee here, for I must talk with thee and tell 
Thee all that's passed and is to pass. Here meet 
Me, then; and later still, when the dull sky 
Is all o'ercast and Nature seems to sleep ; 
When the deep shadows deeper fall and the 
Slow pulse of man still slower beats ; when the 
Frail powers of our mortal frames grow weak 

Almost to death, — then will the zealot come 

Sentinel passes near by. Both disappear. 



SCENE II. 

Afternoon. Chamber in Y{AT>R\k'^''s part of the palace. 
Hadrian zvith inijtisters seated around. Balbus, 
Tatian, Turbo, Celsus, L^nas. 

Celsus. 
My lord, all Rome with you thinks it most wise. 
'Tis true these border kingdoms are a tax 
Upon the friendship, funds, and strength of Rome. 



SCENE II.] ANTING OS. 65 

L^NAS. 

Yes, better far to give them up and make 
An honorable peace with their small kings 
Than be obliged to wage in their behalf 
The costly wars of useless, frail friendship. 

Turbo. 
Besides, ofttimes these petty kings wax great 
And put Rome's soldiers to the flight ; therefore 
Twere best to make a peace with them ere they 
Make war with us. They're troublesome, those chiefs. 

Hadrian. 

And dar'st thou. Turbo, give me reasons like 
To those ? That which alone urges me on 
Thus to abandon many of those lands 
Which Roman soldiers battled for and gained 
Is the whole city's oft-expressed desire, 
Whispered at first, then loudly talked about. 
The people wish this thing. Shall I, who have 
Sought always so to rule the Roman state ^ 
That men should recognize in me one who 
Was conscious he but held the power as a 
Most sacred trust, to be withdrawn if he 
Abused the people's loan, — shall I deny 
This favor ? 

Turbo. 

Yet, my lord, some might perchance — 
Some evil-thinking, narrow souls — might say 

5 



66 ANTING OS. [ACT III. 

You wished to dim great Trajan's glory when 
You thus make null th' achievements of his wars ! 

Hadrian. 

Away with him ! 

Turbo recoils. 
What have I said this time? 

Celsus, to Turbo. 
You spake the truth, — unpardonable crime ! 

Balbus. 
Shall that one who refused a triumph for 
His victories o'er the Parthians ; refused 
That noble title " Father of his Land," 
Lest he should seem to equal thus in fame 
Augustus, — shall he be reproached ? 

All. 

No! No! 
Turbo withdraws. 

Hadrian. 

Enough I The council has been too prolonged. 
Until to-morrow, friends, farewell. 

Exeunt all save Hadrian. 

Hadrian, to slave who enters on Hadrian's 
touching a gong. 

Send hence 
Antinoiis. Slave retires. 



SCENE i:.] ANTINOOS. 6/ 

What charm inspires that youth 
To drive the anger from my heart, to ease 
My pain, disperse rude care ? What sorcery 
Lies potent in those ripe, full lips ? what grief 
Lends depth and beauty to the eyes ? what thoughts 
Press round the temples fair of Antinoiis ? 
Verus hath lied. He loves me and is true ! 
I will forget my harsh, suspicious thoughts 
Of yesterday, and treat him as a friend. 
Without him life would be a dreary round. 
I cannot give him up ! though every day 
The mute, impassioned look from out his eyes, 
The saddened curve of mouth and chin, plead for 
His quick release. What pity one of us 
Must suffer! but since it is thus, 'tis he 
Must bear the pain. He comes. 

Enter Antinous. 

Antinous. 

My lord, you sent 
For me. If to confess my fault, my lord 

Hadrian. 
No, no ! we will not speak of that. Yes, youth, 
I sent for thee : art sorry thou must come ? 

Antinous. 
Great Hadrian knows my only joy is to 
Be near him. 



6S ANTING Vs. ■ [ACT III. 

Hadrian. 

Well said, youth ! 

Alas ! to-day 
The Emperor is sad, Antinoiis. 
The cares of state weigh on me heavily. 
But yet my labor would be light if done 
For those who recognize the love which prompts 
The consecration of my life to Rome's 
Advancement, power, and glory. But to do 
All for a populace ungrateful, strong, 
And changeful as the wind which blows across 
Rome's plain ^ — ah ! that's to wear the scabbard out 
In drawing for a false-proved friend. But for 
The many — let them pass with passions base. 
Yet can we overlook ingratitude 
In those who know us not; but oh, the scars 
Our spirit bears when wounded by our friends ! 
To be misjudged, our motives underprized, 
Our honest actions, bent from their right ends. 
Made to seem the offspring of ignoble 
Thoughts, — our best aspirations ridiculed, 
All by our so-called friends — ah ! boy, 'twere best 
To have no friends ! 

Antinous. 

And yet, my lord — oh, yet 
To have a friend whose soul's the mirror of 
Thine own, reflection of thy joys and griefs ; 
The power which, felt, lifts up the heart and soul 
To new and pure enchantments all undreamt — 



SCENE II.] ANTING OS. 69 

The bliss of knowing one who lives for thee — 
My lord, a true and loyal friend is an 
Immortal boon ! 

Hadrian. 

'* Would be," thou shouldst say, boy. 
If the great gods would but vouchsafe to give 
Us such a one. Pauses. 

Did I but dare I'd say 
Thou art a friend to me ; but lest the gods, 
Hearing, should jealous grow, I'll seal my lips 
And let my heart speak for them. 

Antinous. 

Oh, my lord, 
The slave cannot be friend with Caesar ; yet 
Were I but free and noble thou shouldst see 
How loyal, true, and firm a friend I'd be ! 

Hadrian. 

My pretty youth, were thou but free I fear 
Thou'd seek for friends in thy Bithynia. 
No, no ! Thou still must be my friend, though slave ! 
Swear, boy ! swear for me holy friendship. Swear ! 

Antinous. 
By all the gods, by all I love and hold 
Most dear, by spirits of dead ancestors, 
I swear to love great Hadrian with such love 
As one gives to his dearest friend, to live, 
To die, if such the need should be, for him ! 



70 ANTING Vs. [ACT III. 

Hadrian. 

'Tis well ! I love thee, boy ! Come bring thy lute 

And sing awhile — and let it be a sad 

Strain. Such will suit my cheerless humor best. 

Antinous sings. 

Hush! hush! my Heart, thy tender, pleading cry; 

Hide from the world thy guilt and all thy woe ; 
Let not thy grief breathe forth the faintest sigh, 

No sob nor tear thy anguished longing show. 
Wait ! wait ! my Soul, nor seek that thou hast not ; 

'Tis not for thee the happiness of earth ; 
To love but be not loved is thy sad lot ; 

To feel deep Love and dare not own its birth. 
O Love ! some call thee cruel, some most sweet ! 

Death ! some long for thee and some do fear ! 
Since sweet and cruel Love I cannot greet, 

1 long for fearful Death as friend most dear. 



SCENE III. 

Midnight. Terrace of the palace. 

Antinous. 
Soft, gentle Night, companion of the proud 
And glorious Day! How much more lovely art 
Thou in thy silver brightness than that grand 
And haughty monarch in his gold array ! 
The Day, like some young conqueror flushed and 
fierce 



SCENE III.] ANTINOOS. 71 

With Victory's wine, drives through the heavens 
In chariot bright. But thou, O silver Night, 
Reignest, a gracious Mother-Queen, regal 
Yet tender, and a thousand glances gleam 
From shy eyes set in dusky loveliness 
Of thy handmaidens* faces, and there fall 
Slow, glittering tears upon the souls all parched 
And withered with the glory of the Day. 
Such nights, such beauty have I often seen 
In far-away, sea-washed Bithynia — 
My home ! There was I happy, there was free ! 
No nameless fear, no secret troubles weighed 
Me down. Now e'en the night I love meseems 
To hide a fearful thing — what, I know not. 
I only feel a shadowy terror and 
Unrest, as if some evil were about 
To fall 

Sabina a7td Verus wa/k below, talking. Antinous, 
mterrupted, listens. 

Sabina. 
Great Hadrian dies to-night f 

Verus. 

In two 
Hours hence, Sabina, will the deed be done. 
All's ready and the Caesar's guards are drugged. 
Nothing can save him now unless thou fail'st. 



72 ANTING OS. [ACT iii. 

Sabina. 
I fail ! I weak ! 

Verus. 
A woman easily 
Forgets her wrongs ! Perhaps to-night some thought, 
Some undercurrent of remorse, may bring 
Repentance or a weakening of revenge ! 

Sabina. 

Thou know'st me not! Yes, let great Hadrian meet 
His death to-night ! 

Verus. 

The night hath ears ! Yes, all 
Is ready, and that one to do the deed 
Will go in two hours' time to Hadrian's couch, 
And all alone, unaided, do that which 
Will make me lord of Rome and master of 
The world ! 

Sabina. 

And me the Empress — yet forget 
Not that ! We rise or fall together now. 
To falter or turn back it is too late ! 
The way to power lies before us here, 
And should we fail, we merit such an end 
As we shall see should you or I be false. 

Verus. 
Prove false ! It is the very crime of crimes ! 



SCENE III.] ANTING Vs. 73 

Sabina. 
Now tell me, is all ready ? 

Verus. 

All. The guards 
Who nightly watch by Hadrian's chamber sleep 
In drugged drowsiness. One I do know 
Who is on guard to-night will be our friend. 
A whispered word, half threat, half promise, and — 
But never mind the rest. He's mine both soul 
And body, and he dared not but comply. 
Then what is strange a guard should give his friends 
A banquet and the wine be heavy with 

Sabina. 

Enough ! 'Tis done, and well ! Woman's courage 
Can compass crime achieved serenely, but 
Her resolution pales before the gross 
Details ! To-night, alone — so let it be ! 

Tkej/ pass out of hearing. 

Antinous. 
And so, O Night, this is the secret that 
Thou hold'st ! This is the evil to befall ! 
Great gods ! They dare not ! In two hours' time — 
The guards all drugged ! 'Tis late — the Emperor 

sleeps. 
If I should cry aloud and tell my tale. 
Who would believe it ? I should be the means 
Of mine own ruin ! What to do ? 



74 ANTING OS. [ACT III. 

Oh, fool ! 
Oh, dullard that I am ! and cannot I 
Devise some way ? — Great gods ! it cannot be ! 
Heard I aright? Time seems to fly ! — He comes 
Alone, they said. The dread unknown shall meet 
Antinoiis in deadly strife ere he 
Shall cross the threshold of the Caesar's door ! 
Myself will watch, and should this prove a dream, 
The horrid figment of my troubled brain. 
The Emperoi*need not know. Or if it be, 
Alas ! too true, Antinoiis' arm will lay 
The murderer low and prove to Hadrian that 
His slave values his life but as it proves 
Protection to his lord ! 

SCENE IV. 

Hadrian's chamber. Only a pale light shozving 
Antinous hidden partly by the arras at the door 
and Hadrian sleeping on his couch. 

Antinous, approaching Hadrian. 

My master and my friend ! Should this arm fail 
To do its work this night, Antinous 
Knows where to strike. Points to his breast. 

Ere harm shall touch that head 
I love so well, a thousand murderers shall 
Lie low, felled by my strength ! Then have no fear, 
But sleep, great Caesar ! 



SCENE IV.] ANTING OS. 75 

jSlight noise heard. Antinous glides to the 
door. A muffled figure approaches. 

Antinous. 

Gods, now lend me aid ! 
Hermit approaches with drawn sword. 
Antinous and he struggle. For a few 
moments they fight silently, then the 
Hermit falls, utterhig a loud groan, 
Hadrian starts up. 

Hadrian. 
Ho ! guards ! Help, help ! Antinous, what's this ? 

Hermit. 
Verus, the tyrant lives ! I failed to do 
Thy work — forgive me, martyred saints ! Dies. 

Hadrian. 

He calls 
On Verus ! What means this, Antinous ? 

Antinous. 
My lord, 'tis nothing now. Behold the one 
Who would have killed great Hadrian ! 

My lord, 

He's dead ! 

« 

Hadrian. 
Ho ! guards ! Gods ! must I call ye twice ? 



76 ANTINOVS. [ACT III. 

Hence, men ! What ! Come they not ! Now by great 

Jove 
This is too much ! Slaves come running in. 

The guards ! the guards ! What ! all 
Asleep ! This is a plot ! 

Antinous. 

No, no ! my lord ! 
ril tell you all. 

Hadrian, with a gesture of suspicion. 

Antinous ! 
Antinous. 

Oh, Caesar, hear me speak, then judge of me. 
But first, I pray you, let you the people go, 
And speak me privily. 

Hadrian, to slaves. 

Bear out the dead ! 
They pick up the Hermit, who has fallen 
on his face. His mantle drops off and 
Antinous recognizes him. 

Antinous. 
Ye gods ! what do I see ! 

This horror shield 
From my strained eyes ! Oh, take this cursed stain 
From my red hands ! Oh, pluck this guilty heart 
From my foul breast and let me die ! Oh, friend, 
What have I done to thee who wast so kind ! 



SCENE IV.] ANTING Us. 77 

What wouldst thou then have done to bring thee 

here? 
This knife ! 

Picks up Hermifs knife. 
Speak, speak, dumb hps, and open wide, 
Closed eyes ! Unfold thy hidden secret, heart 
That beats no more ! My master — see, it was 
My holy friend ! For you, great Hadrian, have 
I slain my friend ! 

Hadrian. 

Well, boy, wouldst thou have had 
This one to plunge that knife thou hold'st into 
My breast ere that thy hand had stayed his act? 

Antinous. 

Great Caesar, let my action speak to you ! 
To-night, alone, I took my stand to meet 
Whate'er should come. My dagger touched the heart 
Of one whom I had loved-; — no more a friend, 
'Since he hath proven Hadrian's enemy. 
These tears are for the friend who died ere I 
Did meet him here. If after this, my lord, 
You feel distrust 

Hadrian. 

Nay, nay, Antinous, 
Never again shall I think ill of thee. 
It is my frailty to distrust those whom 
I love, and subtle Nature thus inflicts 



78 ANTING OS. [ACT III. 

A sharper sting into the bitter of 

My life. A curse upon the thoughts which kill 

The loves engendered in the heart ! 

But speak ! 
Tell me what means this midnight scene ! 

Antinous. 

My lord, 
A tale as strange as fearful must I tell 
To you. To-night, Csesar, but two hours since, 
Feeling the mystery of the night upon 
Me, I did leave my couch and walked awhile 
On the north terrace. Scarce had I the time 
To scent the perfumed air, when from the gloom 
Of some great ilex-trees there came two forms, 
A woman's and a man's — start not, my lord. 
And you had rather I should say no more, 
'Twere well 

Hadrian. 

Say on ! 

Antinous. 

My lord, they spake as if 
They feared their words would echo to the world 
Their thoughts, and I had much ado to hear. 

Hadrian. 
Who were those two ? — couldst see, Antinous ? 



SCENE IV.] ANTING OS, 79 

Antinous. 
Caesar, if that mine eyes deceived me not, 
They were — oh, bid me not to speak ! 

Hadrian. 

Say on ! 

Antinous. 
Mine eyes were strained into the darkness, yet 
I think they were — and if mine eyes deceived 
Me, then their accents proved them to be — 
The Empress and Verus ! 

Hadrian. 

Antinoiis ! 
And if thou liest thou shalt die for this ! 
Dost hear me, boy ? Gods, can it be ! that two 
Such puny, feeble creatures should conspire 
Against the Caesar ! And it had been such 
A one as Cassius or younger Brutus, 
I could have borne the shame — but Verus ! Oh, 
Ye gods ! And as for that frail partner of 
His crime — I could have thought as much ! Caesar 
Still lives and Rome is safe, Antinous ! 
Let us give thanks and praises to the gods 
Who rule our destiny ! To-morrow let 
There be a feast and holiday. The more 
The general joy the more shall I be pleased. 
And those two who have thought to come into 



So ANTING OS. [ACT III. 

The power through death of him who rules shall 

curse 
The day they saw the light ; shall curse the air, 
The water, and the fire which nourish their 
Most wretched bodies ; curse the night which brings 
Them dreams ; shall curse all but th' oblivion 
Of death, which they shall seek and find not. ^ Once 
Most lenient was I to a deadly foe ; 
But these — these merit not e'en death. So let 
Them live and suffer throughout life. 

The guards ! 
Enter guards. 
Ho ! Lucius and Metellus ! Seek until 
Ye find Verus, the would-be Emperor 
Of Rome, and guard him safely ! 

Hither call 
The guards Julius and Maenas. 

Exeitnt guards. 
To Antinous. 
Hadrian lives ! 
And yet what care I ? Death perhaps is well. 
He might have done his work and all would then 
Be o'er! 

Antinous. 
My master, speak not so ! 

Hadrian. 

My boy. 
Thou wouldst have mourned awhile and then forgot. 
'Tis youth's true nature thus to do. 



SCENE IV] ANTING Us. 8 1 

Antinous. 

My lord, 
Have I not proven myself more than a youth ? 

Hadrian. 
Antinous, my well-beloved ! Hast thou 
No boon to ask of Hadrian ? 

Antinous. 

But one, 
My lord — to name my crime of which you spake 
With so much bitterness ! 

Hadrian. 

Let it be past ! 

Antinous. 
No, no, my lord ! Speak, I beseech you, speak ! 

Hadrian. 

The fault, if fault thou hadst, is past ; nobly 
Has this night's work disproved my evil thought. 
The hermit who lies dead — hast ever given 
His faith thy soul's allegiance? — ever spake 
With him of Hadrian's faults, whose chiefest is. 
He loves thee too, too well ? 

Antinous. 

Now will I speak ! 
But e'en before I ask your pardon for 



82 ANTINOUS. [ACT III. 

Myself, will I bespeak forgiveness for 
Those Christian men who live that they may die 
In their pure faith. Caesar, will you them spare ? 
The law is harsh, my lord ! 



Hadrian. 

What know'st thou ? 

Antinous. 

Verus hath said the Christians are condemned 
By the new law. 

Hadrian. 

My young lord Verus speaks 
What he knows not, and better have a care 
How he ascribes decrees to Hadrian ! 
Dear youth, I have no harsh intents against 
These Christians — no decrees have I sent forth ; 
And though I had been tempted to suppress 
Their zeal, your pleading words would have saved 

them. 
I should not know how to refuse thee aught. 
It is no favor that — ask something else. 

Antinous. 

A thousand thanks, my lord, for these kind words ! 
I have naught else, my lord, unless it is 
To see Bithynia once again ! 



SCENE IV.] ANTING OS. 83 

Hadrian. 

Art so 
Unhappy, boy, with me ? I swear that from 
This hour will I be kinder still to thee 
And teach thee to forget thy home and friends, 
To find all here. I cannot let thee go ! 
Bithynia hath not so deserved that she 
Should have thee back. What could I do without 
Antinous ? 

Antinous. 
If I seem sad, my lord, 
Oh, think me not ungrateful ! Rather lay 
It to the light caprice of unformed youth 
Which knows not what it needs or wants, but with 
A vague, unreasoning sadness sighs and seeks 
That which perchance it has, or, having, would 
But breed deep pain. 

Hadrian is kind, and yet 
Is it so strange that sometimes visions of 
My home, my friends, should nestle in my heart, 
And when the day's reality doth drive 
Them out, the pain of absence should be left? 
And though I'm free to roam the palace, live 
In idle happiness, yet am I bound. 
For still the Emperor's favorite is his slave ! 

Hadrian. 
Ah, youth ! each has his sorrows, and perchance 
If thou wert free, liberty were less dear. 



84 ANTINOtfS. [ACT III. 

Enter Julius and M^nas. 
To guards. 
Guard well the Empress' chamber. See to it 
That no one passes in or out. 

Retire ! 

Exeunt guards. 
Hadrian ! Hadrian ! and art thou grown so old 
That boys and women scheme to wrench the power 
From thy weak hands ? Has illness made thee lose 
Thy majesty, thy awe-inspiring mien ? 
Art thou become the figure-head of that 
Proud ship which bears Rome's treasures, — safety and 
The sovereignty of the whole world, — through seas 
Rough with the winds of many' storms, into 
A pleasant harbor ? No ! I tell thee, boy. 
That I will live ! By all the gods I swear 
That Rome shall see me yet as in my prime — 
Her Emperor and the greatest warrior of 
The world ! 

Exeunt ^kXi^ikYk and Ai^rmovs, 



ACT IV.] ANTING OS. 85 



ACT IV. 
SCENE I. 

Council chamber. Hadrian, Jurisconsults, Sabina, 
Verus, Antinous, etc. 

Hadrian. 

There is one foe who can assail the State 

More subtle, loathsome, more insidious than 

All other foes. He comes not from the ranks 

Of those whom love of their own lands and homes 

Makes jealous e'en to hatred of all else. 

He comes not with the common enemy 

To die or gain his cause, and longing but 

To meet in open conflict armed men. 

He comes not in the day to do his deed; 

But, palpitating with desire and dread, 

He slinks abroad i' the dead of night, purposed 

To slay those who have loved him well, destroy 

The land which gave him birth, betray the State 

Whose safeguards and whose bounties he has shared ! 

Such enemy the name of traitor bears. 

Then for the honor and the safety of 

The State must traitors die ! 

Though they should be 
Our dearest friends, our nearest ones, shall that 



S6 ANTINOUS. [ACT IV. 

Hold vengeance back ? Did Brutus say, " It was 
My son, therefore be merciful" ? Did not 
That later Brutus, erring though he did, 
Slay his great friend whom he had loved as his 
Own soul, for good, as he did think, of Rome ? 
Then shall one hesitate to deal with those 
O'er whom the loathsome name of " traitor" has 
Been breathed ? 

Hadrian appears sunk in thought. 

Priscus. 
Caesar, shall young Antinoiis speak ? 

Hadrian, to Antinous. 
Recount what thou hast seen and heard. All that 
Thou know'st. 

Antinous, stepping forward. 

My lord, the light of morn has wrapped 
The night just past in gloom impenetrable. 
My dazzled eyes cannot tell truth from dull 
Imaginings. A thousand years have rolled 
Between to-day and yesterday ! 

Hadrian. 

Speak on ! 

Celsus. 
Speak carefully ! Two lives hang on thy words. 



SCENE I.] ANTING OS. . 87 

Sabina. 
Antinoiis ! Antinoiis ! 

Antinous. 
My lord, 

Oh, spare me this ! 

Priscus. 

The Emperor waits thy speech ! 

Antinous. 

My lords, at midnight past a great unrest 
Bade me go forth upon the marble steps 
Which lead from the north end of the palace 
Down to the road which winds to Tempe's vale,^ 
And as I leaned against Egeria's font, 
Content and hidden by the marble's shade, 
I heard all suddenly, my lords, strange sounds, 
Two voices which spake low, and yet so clear, 
So quiet was the soft night air, their words 
Were borne to me e'en soon as breathed upon 
Their lips. 

Sabina half rises, beseechingly, towards Antinous. 
Why must I on ? Oh that I were 
Some senseless thing which neither hears nor speaks ! 

JULIANUS. 

Antinous, say on ! 

Antinous. 
In brief, I heard 
That two hours from that time would Hadrian die. 



88 ANTING OS. [ACT IV. 

Killed by the hand of him sent by that one 
Who spake. 

JULIANUS. 

And did the other understand 
The import of his speech ? 

Antinous. 

She gave consent 
Unto the plan, yet did not wish to hear 
Of it. Antinous about to retire, 

Hadrian. 

Yet stay — one question more. Look well. 
Are those two there the two you heard last night? 

Points to Sabina and Verus. 

^k^vs^k, falling before Antinous. 
Antinous ! Oh, save me, youth ! 

Hadrian. 

Answer ! 

Antinous, hiding his face from Sabina. 

They are ! 

Hadrian, to Verus. 

Hast aught to say in thy defence ? 

Verus. 
My lord and Emperor, much ! 

I have not known 
Great Hadrian all these years and failed to note 



SCENE I.] ANTING Vs. 89 

That purity and uprightness of soul 
Which mark him as the chief of men far more 
Than the great name of Emperor does, and I 
Do know that to appeal to that supreme, 
Clear-seeing intellect is but to wait 
At a tribunal whose decision will 
Be just. So in my plea I put aside 
The moral question, how a cousin who 
Has loved thee with a love like to a son's, 
Has tried always to do that which would be 
Most highly pleasing to the Emperor, 
Who never yet by word or sign has shown 
Aught but obedience and devotion, how 
Such one could plot against the life of him 
He held so dear — but, Caesar, I would ask 
Why thou hast chosen to accept as true 
The word of one, a slave, a traitor to 
Thy gods and thee ? Antinoiis is this, 
And I do hold the proofs ; and knowing him 
As such, and mine own conscience, I do say. 
His words are false as is his heart. He lies 
Like some lost soul from Hades when he says 
That I at midnight talked with thy consort 
Of thy foul murder by one sent from us. 
Who, dead, cannot belie Antinoiis' tale ! 

Hadrian. 

Yes — dead, but were he living he could not 
Deny Antinoiis' words, for ere he breathed 
His last deep sigh which jetted forth the blood 



90 ANTING OS. ■ [ACT IV. 

From out his wounds, he called on thee and cried 
Aloud to think the task that thou hadst set 
Him was not done ! 

Verus. 

The coward ! Could I see 

They said he died, no word upon his lips ! 

Hadrian. 
False ! false as thy smooth tongue and lying heart ! 

Enter Salvius and falls before Hadrian. Verus 
casts a f lightened look at him. 

Salvius. 
Oh, Verus, look not so at me, for I 
Will speak ! Ten million demons tear my heart 
And frightful torments seize me when I think 
On what I did for thee. My lord, 'twas I 
Who for a paltry bribe have drugged your guard, 
A bribe which Verus gave me yester-eve — 
Verus, who found me out and holds my life 
But just as long as he could wish it last! 
My lord, 'twas I who Jet the Hermit pass 
The outer gates. Verus 

Verus. 

Be silent, or 
That tongue which speaks such costly words shall be 
Wrung from thy mouth ! 



scene i.] anting os. 91 

Salvius. 

Too late, oh, Verus ! I 
Must speak and die. Oh, Caesar, it is true 
That Verus bribed 



Verus. 

Away ! O gods, will none 
Obey me, bound ? 

Hadrian, motioning to lead Salvius away, 

Verus, thy plans are foiled. 
Another time more care were not amiss. 
Thou feeble plotter ! Know thou that a hand 
And brain far stronger than thine must o'erturn 
The Caesar's throne ! What's to be done with such ? 

Verus. 
'Tis finished, then ! Well, Hadrian, now thou mayst 
Know all from me ! I tell thee, Caesar's head 
Was like to fall ! How I rejoice e'en at 
The thought ! Know all — I hate thee, Hadrian, thou 
Who will not die, but drag thy suffering life 
Out to its little close ! And know yet one 
Thing more from Verus : he who saved thy life 
Hast lost thy honor ! 

Sabina, starting forward. 

Hadrian, 'tis not so ! 

Verus. 
Traitress ! 



92 ANTING Us. [ACT lY. 

Hadrian. 
Antinoiis ! 

Sabina, throzving herself before Hadrian. 

Great Hadrian, 
But hear me speak ! Gods, what words shall I use 
To bring conviction to thy doubting mind ! 
My lord, 'tis true I loved Antinoiis, 
But he — so far from loving me — he spurned 
My proffered heart and bade me think on thee ! 

Antinous, aside. 
Gods ! have I done you wrong ? 

Sabina. 

Yes, Hadrian, know I loved thy slave, and if 
The thought be bitter to the Emperor's pride, 
Remember that a woman must be loved 
To hold her true. 

Loved ! I could so have loved 
Thee in return that long posterity 
Would point me out and say, '' There was a wife 
Fit for an Emperor — royal in heart 
As well as state." But left alone, turned on 
Myself, what is there that my lonely heart 
Hath not conceived ? For who shall say what strange, 
Tempestuous currents cross the ocean of 
A woman's love ? 

Enough ! the contrary 
Wind which has driven my frail bark on such 



SCENE I.] ANTING Vs. 93 

Unkindly seas a favoring breeze is. Yes ! 
'Tis o'er — farewell ! 

Turning to Antinous. 
Antinoiis, hate not 
That one who loved thee and who suffers much. 
'Tis past — the passion of an empty heart 
Which tried to fit within its shrine a saint 
Too pure for such unholy worshipping. 
Think of me, youth, as one whom Death hath cleansed 
And rendered back her purity. 

To Hadrian. 
My lord, 
Do with me as thou wilt. We meant thy death ! 
We failed, and we should pay such penalty 
As merit those who plot against the State. 
And yet — I cannot die ! I am too young ! 
The grave — the grave — the horror of the grave ! 

Throwing herself at Antinous's/^^^. 
Antinous, oh, save me, thou whom I 
But now have saved ! Plead thou — he loves thee well. 

Antinous. 

My lord, have mercy, for thou know'st the great 
Are merciful of soul, not merely just. 

Hadrian. 

Rise, my Antinous ! My mercy shall 
Not fail. And 'twere myself alone, she should 
Go free. The gods alone do know if all 
She says is true — if my harsh ways have been 



94 ANTING OS. [ACT IV, 

The all-unconscious motive of this ill, 

So should I bear the blame and willingly. 

But Rome, Rome's safety and continued power — 

Must I bethink me well for these. 

Say you 
Banishment for both ? 

Celsus and Priscus. 

Yes, Caesar, let 
It be the banishment of both. 

Hadrian. 

My lords, 
Retire we now. 

Farewell, rash enemies 
To Rome ! — Verus, my son that was, and thou, 
Sabina — wife no more ! 

Hadrian goes out, followed by Senators. 



SCENE II. 

Gardens of the palace. Hadrian and Antinous. 
Time, afternoon. 

Hadrian. 
A rude day this has been, Antinous ! 
Such shocks become too much for mine old age. 
I pray the gods to give thee strength to bear 
The weight of years and days, which, though they be 



SCENE II.] ANTINOOS. 95 

Bright as this one above our heads, yet bring 
At length a mortal weariness. 

Antinous. 

My. lord, 
Though it be strange, perhaps, yet do I feel 
The gods have not apportioned me long life. 
My days will be as short as these our nights, 
Soon followed by unending night for me. 

Hadrian. 

Hush, youth ! 'Tis not for thee, so young and fair. 
To fall to earth like blossom touched by frost. 
The summer of thy flower and beauty lies 
Before thee, with long days of sweet delights 
And nights of fragrance. Love and happiness 
Are still for thee, so wherefore talk of death ? 
Death is for me, — the shattered tree which bore 
No fruit and from whose boughs the leaves have fall'n 
Long since. 

Antinous. 

Though young, earth holds for me no joy 
Save that of your affection, and, my lord, 
When you are sad Antinous is sad. 

Hadrian. 
We both are sad to-day, then, youth, and will 
Be so while we do think upon that deed — 
But let us speak of other things. 



96 ANTING Us. [ACT IT. 

Antinous. 

Caesar, 
Would it not be most wise for you to leave 
Awhile the scene of that dark plot and seek 
In other lands to find repose which here 
Too faithful Memory will quite destroy? 

Hadrian. 

Thou art my better self, loved youth, and hast 

A golden thought for every leaden one 

Of mine ! Why should we linger in this Rome, 

When elsewhere we shall find new scenes, new joys. 

To make us glad again ? Besides, my health 

Is much the worse for these sharp changings of 

The winds, — now warm, now cold. 

So let us, boy, 
Go southward to a constant warmth, and there 
We will forget the horrid chances of 

Last night. 

Antinous. 

'Twere better far we left imperial Rome. 

And had you not confessed yourself, my lord, 

That you felt ill, I should not now dare urge 

That reason for this voyage, yet it is 

The elder of them all. Of late, with fear, 

I've noticed that your cough grows worse, and that 

The fever-pain oft racks your head and — but 

The Caesar will be well if once great Rome 

And all the cares which trouble his scant rest 

Are left. 



SCENE II.] ANTING Vs. 97 

Hadrian. 

Thou think'st me ill, Antinoiis? 
It were more kind to secret keep the thought. 

Antinous. 
My lord, is not the truth a friend ? Maybe 
A rude one, yet most honest and inclined 
To do great good. And though it anger you, 
I must confess that fear for you has oft 
Assailed my waking and my sleeping thoughts 
Of late. 

Hadrian. 
Yes, yes, I feel that I am ill ! 
Away ! we must away without delay. 
But where ? 

Antinous. 
My lord, there's Egypt. 

Hadrian. 

Ay, ay, boy. 
There will we go and bask awhile in that 
Most drowsy clime. To Besa will we go 
And ask of that high Oracle the years 
Which yet remain to me. I fain would know 
The truth. And then, they say, Antinous, 
The Apis doth not oft appear of late, 
And many worshippers complain and doubt 
The meaning of their faith. We will go thence, 

7 



98 ANTINOVS. [act. IV. 

And see if there be truth in Egypt's priests. 
If false, their mummeries shall cease; if true, 
I swear to Isis and Osiris, great 
And many temples on old Nilus' banks. 
Hast ever seen the Nile, Antinoiis ? 

Antinous. 

No, Caesar. 

Hadrian. 

Imperial stream, the secret of whose birth 

The swart, mysterious Ethiop guards e'en yet 

Most jealously ; whose wondrous length from end 

To end the Pharaoh's land doth touch, winding 

Impassive 'twixt its yellow banks whereon 

Wave rhythmically coroneted palms 

In noontide heat, or lapping softly 'gainst 

The marble steps of temples glorious in 

Their unexcelled magnificence ; now with 

Untamed and awful strength forcing a way 

Through Nature's barriers of jutting rocks ; 

Now rolling broad and mighty past the gates 

Of cities rich with unimagined wealth. 

Past the dread resting-place of Egypt's kings, 

Down through the hollow land unto the sea. 

What secrets have the dead, unnumbered years 

Confided to old Nilus' yellow waves ! 

What scenes, what memories of earth's great ones 

Are held in everlasting silence there ! 

It was the Nile which saw the Hyksos' rise ; 

It was the Nile which but as yesterday 



SCENE 111.] ANTING OS, 99 

Hath borne upo.n its breast great Julius* fleet ! 
Between the two what countless ages roll ! 
Ah ! could those waves in ceaseless flow but tell 
The matchless chronicles of those long years, 
The world would cease its noisy traffic and 
In breathless silence listen to the tale! 

Antinous. 
Ah ! let us go, great Caesar, and at once ! 



SCENE III. 

Room where Verus is confined. Guards standing 

around. 

Enter Guard. 

Verus, anxiously. 
What says the Emperor? 

Guard. 

That since it is 
Your last request, he grants it. Celsus may 
Now be admitted. 

Verus. 
Thanks to Hadrian, who 
Has granted my last wish — my humble thanks. 

Exit guard. 



lOO ANTING OS. [ACT iv. 

I wonder whether 'tis his head or heart 
That errs. But never mind ! Celsus I'll see, 

And that 

Enter Celsus and guard. 
Celsus ! my friend ! 

Celsus. 

How now, Verus ? 

Verus. 
Celsus, I'm banished ! 

Celsus. 
Why, all the world 
Knows that ! Knows Caesar hath disowned his son ; 
Hath sent him into banishment. 

Verus. 

But not 

Alone, my Celsus — he hath ta'en good care 

To send Sabina, too, afar from Rome. 

Celsus. 

Ay, Verus, farther than thou think'st. His foul 
Decree hath launched her wretched soul into 
Eternity ! 

Verus, stupidly. 

What is't thou say'st ? Dead ? 
Then may the gods preserve me better than 
They have Sabina! Hadrian dared to do 
This thing? 



scene iii.] antinoos. loi 

Celsus. 
The Caesar — no ! 'Twas she herself 
Who cut the tangled coil of her life. 

Verus. 
Sabina ! Tell me all ! 

Celsus. 

I cannot, nor 
Can others tell, for the dark deed was done 
When she was all alone. This much is known; 
No more : hemmed round with guards which Hadrian 

there 
Had placed, and with sad thoughts, she lay bereft 
Upon her couch (so say her women), but 
She bore her grief right royally. It seemed 
Disaster lent her majesty. At eve 
She asked to be alone. Her maids withdrew. 
Thinking no harm, to wait without the doors ; 
Then all at once they heard a fall and groan, 
And, running in, they found Sabina swooned 
Upon the floor. 

Verus. 

What had she done ? Speak, man ! 

Celsus. 
A deadly poison had done all ! 

Verus. 

Great gods ! 

Would she had died ere she confessed our crime ! 



102 ANTING Vs. [act iv. 

Celsus. 
She uttered but few words, and those were all 
Of that smooth-visaged slave, Antinoiis ; 
And soon her heart, slow beating, ceased to count 
The wasting seconds of her life; but e'en 
In pale, mute death her lips seemed formed to say 
" Antinoiis." 

Verus. 
The slave ! The Caesar's mad 
To throw away such friends as thou for one 
So little worthy. 

Celsus. 
Yes, the Emperor loves 
Me not, I know. 

Verus. 
And yet it seems as if 
The grave of his old love should hide away 
His living hate. That lip which once spake words 
Of friendship should keep silence — but enough ! 
I may wrong Hadrian in your thoughts if I 
Should speak what I have heard 



Celsus. 



Yet tell me all ! 



Verus. 
Such calumnies, such threats against his friends 
I'll not repeat ! 



SCENE III.] ANTING Vs. 103 

Celsus. 
' Threats ! Ah ! that I should be 
The object of great Hadrian's wrath ! Methinks 
He used to love me. 

Verus. 

And would do so yet 
But for that spoiled youth who hates thee so, 
And with smooth flattery glides into the heart 
Of that one who hath loved thee well. And there 
He whispers things of thee and me which turn 
The Emperor bitter 'gainst us all. 



Celsus. 
He in our power! 



Oh, were 



Verus. 
And so say I ! What can 
We hope from Hadrian if that cunning slave 
Rules both his heart and head ? Thou see'st me here 
About to leave proud Rome for aye, banished 
By that one whom I loved and who, the world 
Did think, loved me. To-day / go, and who 
Shall say but that thou 'It be the next ? The slave 
Hates thee as well as me. Oh, were I free ! 

Celsus. 
Thou art not free, but thy friend Celsus is! 



104 ANTING OS. [ACT IV. 

Verus. 
And Celsus, free, is worth ten hundred times 
A Verus bound, who can but plan revenge 
In his weak, raging impotence ! 

Celsus. 

And what 

Hath Verus planned ? 

Verus. 

Oh, tempt me not, my friend, 

To tell the thoughts that make a hell within 

Me — how I cry for vengeance 'gainst that one 

Who robs thee of thy Emperor's love, who now 

Hath banished me, and may yet do thee harm, 

My honest Celsus. 

Celsus. 

But I too pant for 
Deep vengeance. Tell me all or 'tis too late, 
For it is noised abroad that Hadrian leaves 
At once for Egypt, taking with him thence 
The young Bithynian slave. Oh, that he were 
No more ! 

VfeRUS. 

What's that thou sayest ? Egypt ? Speak ! 

Aside. 
Such news doth change the color of my thoughts. 

Celsus. 
'Tis all we know : southward the Emperor goes 
To ask the holy Oracle of Ra 



SCENE III.] ANTJNOOS. 105 

The secret of eternal life. Of course 
Antinoiis accorhpanies him. So if 
We are t' avenge ourselves upon the slave, 
It must be done most quickly. 

Verus. 

Let me think 
A moment. 

Wouldst thou have revenge on him 
Who wrought thee harm ? Wouldst fully be avenged 
For all the slights, unmerited, oft put 
Upon thee by the Emperor ? Wouldst prove 
Thou art a foe to fear, a friend to me ? 
Wouldst teach a lesson to the Caesar which 
He needs, and aid one whose reproach is that, 
Being fast bound — oh, impotence ! To be 
But one hour as I was ! 

Celsus. 

Verbs, speak on ! 
The hurrying winds fan the high-leaping flame 
Not half so well as thy wild words my wrath ! 

Verus. 
Words ! words ! enough of words ! 'Tis deeds must do 
This our affair. 

Celsus. 
Then let it be swift deeds ! 



I06 ANTING OS. [ACT IV. 

Verus. 
Swear, Celsus — deeds, not words ! Antinoiis dies ! 

Efiter Guard. 

Guard. 
'Tis time the praetor leaves — permission was 



Celsus. 

Retire a moment. I will follow soon. 

Guard retires. 
Quick, Verus, speak ! Hast thou yet formed a plan ? 

Verus. 

A partial one, which thy deep thought must aid 

And make it worthy of us two. 'Tis this : 

Thou sayest the Caesar seeks an answer to 

His questions from the Oracle of Ra, 

Whose temple stands at Besa by the Nile. 

I know Amenphos well, — the rogue, — I mean 

The chief high-priest. He can be bought. Take thou 

This message from his friend Verus : " Exiled, 

Thy former ally is not dead ; banished. 

He hath naught to fear; therefore do thou beware! 

Antinoiis must die !" Take that and gold. 

And leave the rest to him. 

Enter Guard. 

Guard. 

The praetor must 



SCENE III.] ANTING Us. 107 

Celsus. 
By all the gods I swear he dies ! 

Verus and Celsus. 

Farewell ! 
They embrace. Exit Celsus. 

Verus, looking at Celsus. 

How easily he fell into my trap ! 

And how I frightened him ! I do believe 

He thinks his life in deadly peril is. 

'Tis always best to give tJiat touch ! Without 

The thought of his own head, he might have been 

Content to let mine lie just where it may. 

Antinoiis, at last thou diest, and, dead, 

ril bear my banishment more tranquilly. 



I08 ANTINOOS. [ACT V. 



ACT V. 
SCENE I. 

Morning on the bank of the Nile. Hadrian's encamp- 
ment opposite Besa. Hadrian lying ill on a couch 
in his tent. 

Enter Antinous. 

Antinous. 

Greetings and my love ! 

How fares the Caesar ? 

Hadrian. 

Ay, boy, 'tis time thou askest. Almost noon 
Ere thou appear to greet me for the day ! 
Is that thy love for me ? Do friends thus treat 
Their friends — unless, indeed, they wish them dead, 

As thou perhaps 

Antinous. 

The Caesar's ill. What can 
Antinous do now to soothe his pain ? 

Hadrian. 
Tis well thou think'st of me sometimes. To-day 
I half believed thou hadst forgotten me, 
Thy master! 



SCENE I.] ANTING OS. 109 

Antinous. 
True, I oft forget him in 
My friend. The Caesar spake my thought. Then will 
My master tell me how he slept this night ? 

Hadrian. 

Slept ! Oh, no sleep for me ! All the damned souls 

From Pluto's realms visited me this night 

And held my eyes wide open, staring in 

Black space all peopled with the fancies of 

My troubled brain. Murdered Sabina's ghost 

Swayed pale before my starting eyes and called 

To me in sighing voice to come with her. 

Afar I saw great Rome as after long 

And fatal years. The statues were o'erthrown, 

And in the misty light the Forum lay 

In ruins, while dark birds in wheeling flight 

Around the Coliseum's broken wall 

Took their mysterious way. I looked in vain 

For Hadrian's Arch, but saw, instead, his life 

Rolled like a written palimpsest, held by 

A dark-robed figure which did hide its face 

And weep; and starting up, I clutched the roll. 

And lo ! but an unwritten portion like 

A day remained. In agony I called 

Upon the gods of Rome, but swift there came. 

Instead, all the proud hierarchy of 

Old Egypt's gods and stood around my couch, 

While the gray judges of the lower world 

Looked on me with sad eyes. None spake, but one, 



no ANTINOVS. [ACT V. 

Proud Athor, smiled, and that cold curving of 
The lips roused up my soul and waked me from 
The trance. 

Speak, boy, and tell me what this means ! 

Antinous. 
My lord, would that I could ; but I know not. 

Hadrian. 

Have I no friend to solve this horrid thing ? 
Oh, speak and give me comfort, or these wild 
Dream-thoughts will drive me mad. Gods ! must I 
die? 

Antinous. 

My lord, be calm ! That Egypt's gods should come 
Is a good sign, it seems to me, since we 
Are here. They mean to give you aid. 

Hadrian. 

Speak on 1 

Antinous. 

Caesar, best ask the gods themselves their will. 
Besa is reached — the Oracle awaits 
Your questioning — present it to the gods. 
Their answer can but be the truth. 

Hadrian. 

To-day ? 

Oh, not to-day, Antinous ! I fear 

To put it to the touch ! To-morrow we 

Will go unto the temple's Oracle. 



SCENE I.] ANTING Vs. Ill 

Antinous. 
And I am sure long years are yet for you. 
The gods are kind. A noble life they love, 
Nor care to cut it off when at its best. 
The gods of Egypt, Caesar, guard you well ! 

Hadrian. 

Oh, boy, how I do love thee ! Thou comfort 
Of my sad life ! Thou solacer of woes ! 
Put thy fair hand upon my brow. 

Antinous. 

Caesar 
Is far too kind to his Bithynian slave. 

Hadrian. 

Too kind to thee ! Antinous must know 

That Hadrian loves him 'bove all earthly things. 

Antinous. 
And Hadrian knows Antinous serves him 
With love and duty in his life — or death. 

Hadrian. 

Ay, boy, I know thou lov'st me well ; but death 
Antinous has never yet felt near. 

Antinous. 

You think, my lord, I speak in idle phrase. 
Would that the gods the proof might let me give ! 



112 ANTING Us. [ACT V. 

Hadrian. 
Nay, nay ! I am content with thy pure love 
Which prompts the boast. But pure and lovely as 
I deem thou art, I am too old and know 
The world too well to feel that thou couldst die 
For me. 

Antinous. 

The gods know better, Hadrian. 

Hadrian. 

Besides, Antinous, I would not have 

Thee die for worlds ! Thou seem'st to give me life. 

Where could I find another form and face 

As perfect as thine own ? No, no ! live on, 

Thou sculptured bit of flesh ! Gods ! that my men. 

Who deem themselves the proud exponents of 

True art, have never yet approached thee in 

The beauty of their works ! Not one has caught 

The curves of chin and mouth which place thee so 

Above the rest in loveliness. Thine eyes. 

Lit with an inward, lambent flame, are true 

As Life and Death and sad as both. Thy smile 

Is very sorcery. Speak f tell me what 

Thou art ! The genius of pure beauty? 

Antinous. 

Caesar, 
I do beseech thee — praise is not for me ! 



SCENE I.] ANTING Vs. 113 

Hadrian. 

Tut, boy ; thou know'st th' art lovely as a god. 
I wish thou hadst a god's high power to give 
Me sleep. Oh, that these weary eyes might close 
In slumber once ! Am I the Emperor, yet 
Cannot deep, dreamless sleep command ? Cursed be 
The long night hours, cursed this troubled couch ! 
Shall I not sleep, O Morpheus ? Yes, yes ! 
The Emperor wills it — hear ye that ? Oh, boy, 
For one sweet sleep ! 

Turbo has entered while the Emperor speaks. 

Turbo. 

The young and innocent 
Sleep well, they say ; but for us, Caesar, we. 
Who neither children are nor 

Hadrian, furiously. 

What say'st thou ? 

Turbo. 
I said farewell, my lord. Sleep well, I pray. 

Turbo retires. 

Hadrian. 

That such a one can sleep and so not I ! 
Cursed be all such ! 

Antinous. 
Best pray the gods, not curse. 



114 ANTINOOS. [act v. 

Hadrian. 
Then pray, Antinoiis, for I cannot. 

Antinous. 

O gods of high Olympus, listen to 
A mortal's prayer ! 

Send down sweet slumber to 
The Emperor, wide-eyed and wearied with 
A long unrest! Give him to drink awhile 
Of Lethean wave, and let his leaping pulse 
Grow faint and calm and a deep drowsiness 
Fall gently o'er his thoughts ! O gods, ye know 
The blessedness of slumber and of rest, 
Therefore I pray thee let them steal o'er this 
One who is ever mindful of his vows. 
Who loves the gods, who watches and is ill ! 



SCENE II. 

Gardens of Ainenphos's house at Besa, near Temple. 

Celsus. 
His message, holy friend, was this : " Exiled, 
Thy former ally is not dead ; banished, 
He nothing hath to fear. Therefore beware ! 
Antinous must die !" 

Amenphos. 
So Verus counts upon his former " ally" to do this ! 



scene ii.] anting os, 115 

Celsus. 
Verus had reason to believe he would not dare 
refuse. 

Amenphos, 

But tell me all ! / know no reason for Antinoiis's 
death. 

Celsus. 
You know enough, Amenphos. 

Amenphos. 
Who is this youth ? 

Celsus. 
You know well — the Emperor's favorite. He is 
hateful to us all, but most to Verus, your '* former 
ally," who has sent you word that he must die and 
quickly. That's enough. 

Amenphos. ' 
It is not so easy as you seem to think, Celsus, to 
kill the Emperor's favorite ! I see no way, unless to 
kill him first and then myself; and if I should hesi- 
tate to perform that last service for myself, there are 
others who will save me the trouble. 

Celsus. 
Know you no trickery of your art whereby you 
can arrange this thing ? 



Il6 ANTING (is. [ACT V. 

Amenphos. 
Trickery of my art ! Isis and Osiris defend the 
impious one ! 

Celsus. 
Come, come, Amenphos, I have heard of you from 
Verus, and have not much faith in any religion, so 
talk freely. 

Amenphos. 
It is you who talk freely of the divinities of Egypt. 

Celsus. 
Are you ready to do Verus's bidding ? 

Amenphos. 
Are Romans always in such a hurry ? 

Celsus. 
Look you, be serious ! Are you willing to under- 
take this thing ? 

Amenphos. 

But / am not ready to die, if the Emperor's favor- 
ite is. 

Celsus. 

If you kill Antinoiis, there is a chance that you 
may live ; but if you do not, Verus will see to it 
most certainly that you die too ! 



SCENE II.] ANTING OS. 117 

Amenphos. 
This is terrible ! 

Celsus. 

It will be more so unless you consent. I offered 
you a suggestion. 

Amenphos. 
What — about the " trickery of my art" ? — a sug- 
gestion which I scorn ; but it is a good one never- 
theless. 

Celsus. 
The Emperor visits the Oracle to-morrow. Your 
plans must be made quickly. 

• 
Amenphos. 
But I have not yet consented ! 

Celsus, giving him gold. 
Will that help you to decide ? 

Amenphos. 

It is indeed a powerful argument. Why did you 
not employ it sooner? It would have saved me 
many scruples of conscience. 



Celsus. 



Dog! 



Il8 ANTINOVS. [ACT V. 

Amenphos. 
What's that you say? But never mind. Verus 
must be obeyed. I hope he has been banished to 
quite a distance. 

Celsus. 
Yes, to the East. But why do you ask ? 

Amenphos. 

I like to know he is far away. He could tell some 
things of Amenphos which might cost his life, or at 
least his office as High-Priest in the Temple. There 
are very few people one can trust with secrets. 

Celsus. 
But once trusted %vith them, it is well to take care 
that they are not divulged. You consent to Verus's 
proposition ? 

Amenphos. 
It seems to me to be a proposition which does not 
admit of a refusal. 

Celsus. 
Have I your promise? 

Amenphos, touching gold. ' . 

It is here! 

Celsus. 

Then make your plans at once. The Emperor 
visits the Oracle to-morrow, and that may be your 



SCENE II.] ANTING Vs. 119 

only chance, as he will certainly leave Besa at once 
and go on to Memphis. 

Amenphos. 
Know you what Hadrian seeks of the Oracle ? 

Celsus. 
Assuredly. He comes to ask what years are yet 
to be spared to him. 

Amenphos. 

Will Antinoiis be with him ? 

• 

Celsus. 
Surely ! The youth never leaves his side. That 
is why your brain must act subtly; for it would be 
almost impossible to get rid of him by violence. 

Amenphos. 

They say Antinoiis loves the Emperor most de- 
votedly. Is it true ? 

Celsus. 
Ay, true. Although I hate the youth, I believe 
his affection for the Emperor most real and deep. 

Amenphos. 

He would be willing to do a great deal to serve 
one he loves ? 



120 * ANTINOOS. [ACT v. 

Celsus. 
I think Antinoiis generous and perhaps capable of 
sacrifice; but do not ask too much, for remember he 
is a slave. Who takes the question to the Oracle ? 

Amenphos. 
Thoros. 

Celsus. 
And who delivers the answer ? 

Amenphos. 
I do. 

Celsus. 

Good ! What could be better ? 

Amenphos. 

But I dare not tamper with the Oracle. That is 
not done, my friend. The Oracle would not listen 
to any of my requests. 

Celsus. 

No ; but you have no need to make any. In re- 
turning the answer, substitute the one which you will 
have prepared beforehand to suit our needs. 

Amenphos, thinking deeply. 
Impious suggestion ! May Phtah and the son of 
Phtah preserve thee ! . Leave all to me ! I see my 
wav. All shall be as Verus wishes — on one condition. 



SCENE II.] ANTINOUS. 121 

Celsus. 
Name it. 

Amenphos. 
That he send to me, by your hand, a tablet on 
which shall be written a vow of eternal silence on 
the affairs of Amenphos, High-Priest of the Temple 
of Osiris and of Ra, at Besa ; and that he remit also, 
by your hand, double the sum of money which you 
have just given me. 

Celsus. 

It shall be done ! In return, swear to me that 
Antinoiis dies. 

Amenphos. 
On my honor do I swear Antinoiis dies. 

Celsus. 
A fragile oath ! Swear by the gods ! 

Amenphos. 
Very well. By Serapis do I swear Antinoiis dies ! 

Celsus. 
A not very sufficient oath, but it will have to do. 
And now I leave all to you. If all is not done well 
and speedily, Verus is yet powerful enough to cause 
thy rogue's head to fall from that thick neck. . 



122 ANTING Vs. [act v. 

Amenphos. 

Neither could bear the separation well, so have no 
fear that Verus's commands will not be obeyed. 'Tis 
time to fulfil the evening rites, so farewell. 

Exit Amenphos. 

C ELS us. 

Farewell, 

Thou villanous priest ! I almost wish 

Myself free from this cruel trap laid for 

The young Antinoiis. How Verus would 

Rail out at me for such soft thoughts ! Therefore 

I will be strong and think me of my wrongs 

And him who caused them all. But yet it is 

A bitter thing, — revenge, — killing th' avenger 

As surely as the victim of his wrath. 

Hark ! what is that ? 

Music in the Temple. Celsus 

hides his face. 

SCENE HI. 

Before the Temple at Besa. Girls, siuinging censers, 

etc., precede Hadrian and his train. Antinous 

walks by Hadrian's side. Music in the Temple and 

Chorus of Priests. 

Chorus. 

To Isis and Osiris be ail praise ! 
To the giver of each season, 

With its feasts and changing wealth. 
To Osiris, lord almighty 
And the giver of all health. 
Let us sing ! 



SCENE III.] ANTING US. 1 23 

To Isis and Osiris be all praise ! 
To the gods of all created, 

To wise Kneph and to great Phtah,^ 
To the sun-god and the moon-god, 
To pale Khous and to bright Ra, 
Cymbals ring ! 

To Isis and Osiris be all praise ! 
To the Queen of dread Amenti, 

To Aahlu, pools of peace, 
To the Nile-god and his river, 

Whose great blessings never cease, 
Praises sing ! 

To Isis and Osiris be all praise ! 

Priest comes foi-ward. Tzvo slaves ascend the 
steps zvith offerings for the Temple from 
Hadrian. 

Antinous. 
Great Hadrian, Emperor of Rome, presents 
These gifts unto the Temple of Osiris and 
Of Ra, and craves an answer from the gods 
To his demand. 

Handing Priest a sealed roll. 

Priest. 
The blessing of the gods upon thee fall, 
Great Emperor of Rome ! Beseech thee, then, 
An answer to thy question such as shall 
Be pleasing unto thee ! 

All kneel. Priest prays silently. Mnsic. 
Priest finally rises and disappears in 
the Temple. 



124 ANTING OS. [ACT v. 

Chorus. 

Speak, gods, unto the sons of men ! 

To us now, as here we bend, 
Let thy spirit speak unto us ! 

Ah! may now the gods descend ! 

Doors of the Temple open, showing Priestess of 
the Oracle and Priest kneeling before her^ 
receiving a scroll. 

Chorus. 

The gods descend imto the sons of men ! 

All praise to great Osiris ! 

He has heard our prayer and comes now. 

Our petiiion he hath heard. 
See what goodness fills Osiris ; 

See what love his heart hath stirred ! 
To Isis and Osiris be all praise ! 

Amenphos descends the steps and the 
doors of the Temple close. 

Amenphos, with both rolls in his hattd. 

Is this the Caesar's question to Osiris : 

'* What years, O God, are Hadrian's yet ?" 



Hadrian. 

My question to the God. 

Amenphos. 

In answer hear : 
" Such years, O Hadrian, few or many are 



Such is 



SCENE III.] ANTINOVS. 125 

According as a friend shall give to thee 
By voluntary death." 

Priest hands Hadrian the rolls. Music. 

Hadrian, pale and wrathful. 
And this is all ? 
All that the Oracle can tell to me — 
Me — Emperor of Rome? And say, who will 
By voluntary death give me his life ? 
My courtiers ? Ah ! ye cringe ! — ye faithful friends ! 
Perchance 'tis thou, my Celsus, who always 
Have been the flatterer of thy lord, who now 
Will die for him — what's that ? Thy life will not 
Suffice for one so noble as mine own ? 
Or thou, Rufinus ? — Turbo? — What, not one? 
Ye dogs ! O gods of Egypt, is this all 
Ye have for me ? Why not decree me death 
At once ? And know ye not I have no friends ? 
" Friend !" — 'tis a fable ! Ah ! there are no friends ! 
Ye false and treacherous gods ! But I defy 
Ye all, and ye shall see a mortal will 
More powerful is than Fate. 

I will not die ! 
Great confusiori. Priests enter the Temple. 

Hadrian a7id his suite leave. Antinous 

rests alone. 

Antinous. 
" The years a friend shall give thee, Hadrian." 
And is that all that now remains to thee. 



126 ANTING Vs. [ACT v. 

Thou Emperor of the world ? Thy life, which is 

The life of Rome, has shrunk meseems — shrunk till 

'Tis spanned by friendship's fragile band. Alas ! 

The Emperor has no friends ! He has just said, 

"A friend! — there are no friends !" But I, his slave, 

Will prove him wrong. Would I had twenty lives 

To show myself as many times his friend ! 

One life — it is a paltry present to 

The Caesar ; but yet precious when I think 

The end it serves. 

Great Rome, thou lov'st me not, 

Yet wilt thou owe a debt of love to me 

That all the wealth of thy proud sons cannot 

Begin to pay ; for thy great Emperor shall 

Live on, and I shall die — what then ? 

Turning to the Temple. 

Great gods, 
I thank thee — let me die ! 



SCENE IV. 

Bank of the Nile. Early morning. 
Enter Antinous, dressed for sacrifice. 

Antinous. 
Bright Phoebus, guide my steps ! Lead me to that 
Immortal land whose shore once touched, there lies 
Eternity between the world and me. 



SCENE IV.] ANTING Vs. 1 27 

And thou, great Jove, look down upon the slave 
Who dares to perish for Rome's lord. Give me 
The courage of a god, that I may die 
As one who feareth naught but that he may 
Not know his task ! 

How fair the dawn doth seem ! 
The loveliest time of all the day to me. 
When Earth lies golden in the glory of 
High Heaven's uprising king, and choristers 
Of morn outpour their treble antheming. 
The air, the flowers, the incense of the dawn 
Breathe welcome, and I crv Farewell ! 'Tis hard 
To die when day begins to live so lustily. 
And though my life has been a shadowed one, 
Yet, with the inextinguishable hope 
Of youth, I've dreamed myself into a proud 
Estate, and now I gladly would dream on. 
Life is at best a troubled sleep, and Death 
The true awakening. Shall I sigh to find 
My sleep so short ? No, no ! The dreams of Life 
Are futile — let me die ! Like this lotus 
Which at calm eve folds slowly one by one 
Its snowy petals o'er its heart, waiting 
The dawn to press them back and pour into 
The chalice light and life, so shall I deem 
This cold enfolding of my soul in Death 
But the brief night which ends in perfect day. 
And thou, O Earth ! what shall I say to thee 
In long farewell ? My passage o'er thee has 
Been short, my way has led me quickly to 



128 ANTING Vs. [ACT v. 

The end. The end ! — 'tis the beginning of 
My life ! 

Farewell, still Egypt — fare thee well ! 
Thy gods decree me death. I thank them now. 
And thou, great Hadrian, — only friend of my 
Brief youth, — farewell! My master, though you 

bought 
My life, you cannot buy my death — I give 
It you ; the gift of one who dares to call 
Himself your friend, and begs you sometimes think 
On him ; for look you, Caesar, I have loved 
You well ! 

How like a vision seem the years 
Which I have left behind ! and like a dream 
I see the ages stretch before. The years 
Wherein great Hadrian shall feel his life 
Renewed and be again the monarch that 
He was — the years whose days shall change the 

world's 
Cold scorn of me to kindlier feelings for 
That one who died to save his lord, until 
At last the ages in their passage shall 
Obliterate all but the good in my 
Brief life and leave my name the theme for some 
Sad song. 

How swiftly Phoebus comes ! I must away 
Ere he gild still more deeply Nilus' waves, 
Which murmur as they flow and bid me leap. 
Perchance — how cold e'en in the matin glow 
Looks the deep Nile ! If I should struggle ! Oh ! 



SCENE v.] ANTING OS. 129 

Youth dies most hard ! I'll tie these treacherous arms 
With the white fillet of the gods. There ! So ! 
Yet one more look on earth ! — Farewell, life, light, 
And perfume of sweet flowers — ye woo in vain ; 
I cannot stay — farewell ! 

I pray the gods 
Receive Antinoiis ! 

Rome, Hadrian, 
Bithynia, fare ye well ! 

Antinous phuiges into the Nile. 



SCENE V. 

Before t]ie Temple. Crowd gathered. Hadrian r;^/rr^, 
attended by Romans. 

Hadrian, pointing to Temple. 
O gods of Egypt, what is this ye've done ? 
Behold me here, wrecked by your harsh decree. 
Ye gave me life, but added all the sting 
Of death ! Ye gave me life, but took away 
All that made life most dear, — Antinous ! 
Dost hear, O Earth ? The idol of my heart, 
Antinous, is dead ! 

Celsus. 
My lord, be calm. 

Hadfian. 
Only th' indifferent can be calm when he 
Lies dead, — Antinous ! 

9 



130 A Nil NO Vs. [ACT Y. 

Tatian. 

My lord, think on 
His love, not on his death. 

Hadrian. 

His love ! — 'tis that 
Which bursts my heart. Hear what he wrote : 

Taking a tablet from his toga. 
" Thy slave 
Is happy, Hadrian. He dies for thee. 
Believe in friendship, Caesar, — the gods' boon 
To man. — Antinoiis." 

Oh, my beloved ! 
Ci'owd opens to let an Egyptian tJirongh. 

Tatian. 
My lord, there's some one waits to speak with you. 

Hadrian. 

With no one can I speak to-day ! What are 
The petty questions of the crowd, th' affairs 
Of state, proud Rome herself, when he lies dead. 
The beautiful Antinoiis ! 

Egyptian, coming forzvard and kneeling at 
Hadrian's /^t/. 

Tis of 
Antinoiis that I would speak, Caesar. 



SCENE v.] ANTING Vs. 131 

Hadrian. 
Then quickly speak — and tell me he's not dead ! 

Egyptian. 
My lord, the body has been found, entwined 
By lithe-stemmed lotus flowers, near the bank 
Far down beyond the Temple. 

Hadrian. 

Then he is dead, — 
Antinoiis ! 

Egyptian. 

My lord, within short space 
They here will bear his body, wreathed in flowers. 

Hadrian. 
And shall 

I see him once again ? O gods, I give 
Ye thanks for that ! 

Crowd disperses again, and an old man 
advances. 

Astronomer. 

I bring thee tidings from 
The gods, great Emperor of Rome. 

Hadrian. 

The gods! 
Their tidings are not always good. 



132 ANTING us. [act v. 

Astronomer. 

My lord, 
A star appeared high in the heavens of 
This morn,^ — a star ne'er seen before, — whose light 
So shone that coming day looked ashen in 
Its glow. 

Hadrian, it is Antinoiis' soul 
Which, near the Eagle, now a star appears. 
Adding new beauty to the night as he 
Hath added, when alive, unto the day. 

Hadrian. 

A princely revenue is thine for this ! 

He is a god, accepted by the gods 

And given a place among the gods ! Let this 

Be now proclaimed unto the world. 

To astro7tomer. 

Thou shalt 
Not be forgot, old man. Seek me this eve 
And thou shalt have what thou shalt ask. 

Retire. 

Sound of music heard. Fishermen enter, bear- 
ing the body of ANTiNOtJs on a bier zvi^eathed 
with lotus blossoms. They rest it on the steps 
of the Temple. Crozvd follows. 

Hadrian. 

Antinoiis, thou godlike youth ! And 'tis 
For me thou liest on thy flower-strewn bier ! 



SCENE v.] ANTING OS. 1 3; 

For me, old, careworn, wreck of what I was ! 
Alas ! 'tis I should give my life, since it 
Hath all but left this frame, racked by disease 
And age. 

Thou glorious youth ! Ah ! never yet 
Was mortal like to thee in loveliness ! 
And yet the beauty of thy soul outshone 
That of thy faultless face, Antinoiis ! 
Oh ! speak but one small word to comfort me. 
Thy Emperor. Gods ! this is the silence of 
Still death ! Antinoiis, loved youth, rest well ! 
And here I swear — swear by the gods of Rome, 
By Egypt's treacherous gods, by all the gods, 
If there be gods — to make Antinoiis 
A god like to the highest gods of all ! 
In every city of the empire wide, 
In every temple, every public place, 
By sea, on land, shall statues high be raised 
Unto Antinoiis ! Here, where he died, 
A temple, such as has no peer in all 
The earth, shall be devoted to his cult, 
With priests and prophets, oracles and shrines, 
With incense and with ever-living fires. 
Besa shall change her name,3 and shall be called 
Henceforth *' the city of Antinoiis." 
And yet another city will I build 
Which shall rise glorious by Hadrian's sea. 
Whose waves will wash its walls in tireless flow, 
Baptizing with each drop Antinoiis' name, 
Thus linked for aye with mine ! 



134 AN TJ NOUS. [ACT V. 

Go forth, proclaim 
That from this time Antinous, whose soul 
Shines on us from above as a pure star, 
Is one among the gods, and must have vows 
And altars ! Go ! proclaim in Hadrian's name 
The godship of Antinous ! 

And now 
Disperse, leave me awhile, leave me alone 
With Death, with Grief, and with Antinous. 

Throzvs himself down by bier. 



EXPLANATORY NOTES. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. — ^ " That feared servant of the mighty gods." 

Iris. 

2 "... the works 
Which thou hast wrought," etc. 

*' No prince, it would seem, has equalled Hadrian in the number 
and magnificence of the public works he erected. He visited every 
part of the empire, and there is hardly a single city where he has not 
left substantial proofs of his careful attention to all that could con- 
tribute to the advantage and convenience of the citizens. He had 
repaired all old buildings, many new ones built, besides public baths, 
aqueducts, harbors, bridges, etc." — Cj-evier. *' Vie des Empereurs 
Romains ,'''' 

Scene II. — 3 " Since Hadrian followed Trajan's lead," etc. 
Trajan had written above his palace at Rome the inscription, " The 
People's Palace." 

4 " The unloved wife of Hadrian." 

" Hadrian lived on very bad terms with Sabina his wife ; they hated 
each other and each had reason to do so. Hadrian accused Sabina 
of having a bad temper and of being entirely intractable. Sabina 
complained of Hadrian's harshness towards her. Hadrian declared 
frankly that if he alone were concerned he would have divorced 
Sabina, but knowing how insecure were his claims to the empire, he 
was only too glad to strengthen them by his marriage with the great- 
niece of Trajan. He kept her for that reason, and treated her shame- 
fully, until finally, rendered desperate by her wretched life, she killed 

135 



136 EXPLANATORY NOTES. 

herself voluntarily, or was poisoned by Hadrian's orders, according 
to others." — Crevier. 

Scene III. — s " in those five-yearly games to Nero's fame." 
Games held after the Grecian manner and instituted by Nero. 
^ " And watch to see which of the twin-born gods," etc. 
Castor and Pollux, which never appear together, but as one rises 
the other sets. 

Scene IV.— 7 " Caius Verus." 

" Hadrian, obliged to select a successor by choice, considered 
different persons and finally adopted L. Ceionius Commodus, the 
son-in-law of Nigrius. Commodus, in consequence of his adoption, 
added to his names that of iElius Verus. . . . After having deliber- 
ated so long a time he [Hadrian] had made a choice singular, dis- 
agreeable to every one, and the worst possible. Verus, pale, well 
made, was more yielding and more effeminate than women them- 
selves. He had imagined a bed with four posts, hung with curtains 
of the finest linen, covered with rose leaves from which the white 
parts had been clipped, being considered too ka?'d, and he himself was 
clothed with a garment tissn de lis and his body perfumed with the 
most precious aromas. He had his little slaves dressed as Loves. 
His runners wore wings and were given the names of the winds, 
Boreas, Zephyrus, etc." — Crevier. 

^ '* . . . Go talk, discuss 
With thy wise friends," etc. 
" Curious beyond all measure, he [Hadrian] did not content him- 
self with employing his activity in studying the science of govern- 
ment and in following those branches which, in an empire so large, 
would be necessary to its ruler ; ... it was not enough for him to 
gather the flowers of belles-lettres and of arts, and to acquire of them 
sufificient for the uses of a great prince ; ... he pretended to study 
all branches of knowledge. Oratory, history, poetry even, did not 
satisfy him. He wished to study and excel in music, dancing, 
geometry, medicine, painting, sculpture. . . . His daring curiosity 
naturally led him to try and unveil the impenetrable futm-e. He 
gave his time to studies equally frivolous and unholy — to astrology 
and to magic.'''' — Crevier. 



EXPLANATORY NOTES. 1 37 

ACT II. 

Scene II. — ^ " . . . for look you, he does not 

Pray but to Roman gods," etc. 

Hadrian seemed willing to worship any and all gods, without favor- 
ing any in particular. 

*'■ As regards religion . . . he [Hadrian] loved the Greek worship, 
and was initiated into all the mysteries celebrated in different cities 
of Greece. . . , What is certain is that Hadrian expressed moder- 
ation towards the Christians. The furious clamors of the people 
made many martyrs, however." — Crevier. 

Scene III. — - " 'Tis a conclusion easily derived," etc. 

The incident related actually happened, though the reply was made 
not by Turbo, but by Favorinus, the famous rhetorician of the day. 
" He [Hadrian] one day remarked upon an expression of Favo- 
rinus, who immediately deferred to his opinion, and as Favorinus's 
friends rallied him on having yielded so readily to the Emperor's 
criticism when he had the best authorities on his side, he had the 
laugh on the others by the reply, ' You cannot persuade me, my 
friends, that he who commands thirty legions is not the most learned 
person in the world.' " 



ACT III. 

Scene II.— ^ " . . . Shall I, who have 

Sought always so to rule the Roman state," etc. 

"... He [Hadrian] declared more than once, in presence of the 
people and the senators, that he governed the republic so as to prove 
that he considered it the property of the people, not his." — Suetonius. 

2 " Rome's plain." 

" The suburbs of Rome — called the Campagna of Rome — are a 
veritable desert. One sees neither houses nor cultivated fields ; no 
trees, even, are to be seen." — Stietonius, 

Scene IV.— 3 " . . . Once 

Most lenient was I to a deadly foe," etc. 



138 EXPLANATORY NOTES. 

" He pardoned fully a slave who, while he [Hadrian] walked up 
and down in his gardens at Tarragona, ran upon him with his naked 
sword to stab him." 

It is true the slave was discovered to be insane ; but such an act 
of clemency, even under those extenuating circumstances, was con- 
sidered as indicative of Hadrian's wonderful goodness of heart. 



ACT IV. 

Scene I, — ^ "... Down to the road which winds to Tempe's 
vale," etc, 

" I will finish this article upon the buildings erected by Hadrian 
with his country house upon the Tiber. . . . The apartments were 
arranged and ornamented most elegantly and appropriately. Hadrian, 
who loved science and who had travelled much, desired that his 
retreat should reproduce for him the most renowned pla*ces of the 
world. One saw there the Lycee, the Academy, the famous Portico 
of Athens, the Canopus of Egypt, the Vale of Tempe in Thessalia, 
and even the dwelling-place of the dead, arranged according to the 
accepted ideas and the poets," — Crevier. 



ACT V. 

Scene IH, — ^ " To the gods of all created. 

To wise Kneph and to great Phtah," etc. 

It is needless to remind the reader that in Egyptian mythology 
Kneph signified the " creative mind" and Phtah signified the '* cre- 
ative hand," that Ra was the sun and Khous the moon, that Osiris 
signified " divine goodness," and that he was the lord of the lower 
world or Amenti. 

Scene V. — ^ " A star appeared high in the heavens of 
This morn," etc. 

" At last the astronomers pretending to have found in the heavens 
a new star, Hadrian made believe to think it the soul of Antinoiis 
received in the abode of the gods, and the star was called after him." 
— Crevier. 



EXPLANATORY NOTES. I 39 

The star was said to be between Berenice's hair and the constel- 
lation of the Eagle. 

3 "Besa shall change her name," etc. 

" Antinoiis died at Besa. . . . Hadrian made of it an entirely new 
city by the new buildings which he added, and called it Antinopolis. 
He built there a temple in honor of Antinoiis, with priests and 
prophets. . . . He filled the universe with statues of Antinous ex- 
posed to the worshipping people." — Crevier. 



THE END. 



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